Make PDF Searchable
Have a scanned PDF that Chrome, Preview, or Ctrl+F cannot search? Add an OCR text layer and keep the document looking the same.
or drop a file here · free, no signup, files deleted automatically
How to make a PDF searchable
- Upload the scanned PDF.
- Choose OCR PDF in the PDF tools.
- Download the searchable PDF with its invisible text layer.
Why use Forge Files?
- Same PDF, searchable words: no visual rerasterization or watermark.
- Useful for scans: marksheets, applications, invoices, and forms become searchable in regular PDF viewers.
- Free and private: no signup, with automatic deletion after processing.
Keep the document as a PDF
Make PDF Searchable runs OCR on scanned pages and writes recognized words back into the PDF as hidden text. The visual page remains the source scan: no watermark, no layout remake, and no forced Word conversion.
When to use it
It is best for scanned PDFs where Ctrl+F finds nothing today. After OCR, regular viewers can search the document and often let you select recognized text, while the original page image stays intact.
Is the OCR PDF tool private?
Yes. Your file is uploaded over encrypted HTTPS, processed, handed back, and then deleted — the upload goes the moment the OCR PDF operation finishes and the result the instant you download it, with an hourly sweeper as a backstop. Unlike closed tools that just claim they don't keep your files, Forge Files's code is fully open source, so you can verify exactly how the OCR PDF tool handles your data — or self-host it. No account, no watermark, no upsell. See our privacy details for the full picture.
Frequently asked questions
Will this create a Word file?
No. This keeps the output as a PDF. Use PDF to Word when you need DOCX.
Can I copy text after OCR?
Most PDF viewers can select or search the OCR layer, although exact selection quality depends on the scan.
Can I still extract plain text?
Yes, use PDF to Text for a .txt export.
More free tools
OCR PDF · PDF to Text · PDF to Word · Compress PDF · Unlock PDF