Copy text from a PDF
Short answer
If selecting and copying inside a PDF isn't working, extract the whole text layer to a .txt file here instead — it runs in your browser and nothing is uploaded.
Some PDF viewers make selection awkward, or a document disables copying. Extracting the text layer sidesteps that: you get the words as plain text you can paste anywhere.
If nothing comes out, the PDF is almost certainly a scan (an image of text), which has no text layer to copy — that case needs OCR.
How to copy text from a PDF
- 1Add the PDF. Its text layer is read locally.
- 2Download the .txt. Paste the text wherever you need it.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I copy text normally?+
Some viewers or documents restrict selection; extracting the text layer avoids that.
Nothing was extracted — why?+
The PDF is likely a scanned image with no text layer, which needs OCR.