How To Edit A Scanned Document

Damaris Gatwiri

6 months ago

Editing a scanned document can be challenging if you’re not sure where to start. Since scanned files are often saved as images or PDFs, they cannot be changed directly unless you use special tools to convert or process them. Here’s how to edit a scanned document step by step.

Step 1: Convert the Scanned Document to Editable Text

Most scanned documents are saved in PDF format. To edit them, you first need to convert them using OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology. You can do this in several ways:

Using Adobe Acrobat:

Open the scanned PDF in Adobe Acrobat (Pro version).
Click on “Scan & OCR” in the tools menu.
Select “Recognize Text” and choose “In This File”.
Acrobat will convert the image to editable text.
You can now click on the text and make changes directly.

Using Google Docs (free method):

Upload the scanned PDF or image to your Google Drive.
Right-click the file and select “Open with” > “Google Docs”.
Google Docs will convert the scanned file into an editable document.
You can then edit and format the text as needed.

Step 2: Make Your Edits

After converting the document:

Correct any recognition errors (OCR isn’t always perfect).
Change text, add new sections, or remove what you don’t need.
Adjust formatting, spacing, and font to match the original look if needed.

Step 3: Save or Export the Edited Document

Once you’re done editing:

In Google Docs, click “File” > “Download” and choose Word or PDF format.
In Adobe Acrobat, click “File” > “Save” or “Export” to keep your changes.

Optional Tools You Can Use

Microsoft Word: Some newer versions allow you to open PDF files and automatically convert them into editable text.
Online OCR websites: Sites like onlineocr.net, ocr.space, or smallpdf.com let you upload scanned documents and download editable versions.
Mobile apps: Apps like Microsoft Lens, Adobe Scan, or CamScanner can scan and convert documents directly from your phone.

Also Read: How To Draw Hulk