PDF to text
Extract selectable text content from your PDF documents into plain text. Copy and reuse document text for notes, editing, or analysis without manual transcription.
Your files never leave your device. All processing happens locally in your browser with no file uploads or account required.
How to use pdf to text
- 01
Select PDF file
Choose the PDF document containing selectable text.
- 02
Extract text layer
Click PDF to text to read the document's embedded text streams locally.
- 03
Copy or download
View the extracted text directly in your browser or download it as a plain text (.txt) file.
Important details & limitations
This extracts an existing text layer. Scanned pages may return no text; use Scan PDF to text for optical character recognition. Complex columns may read out of order.
Frequently asked questions
What should I know before using pdf to text?+
This extracts an existing text layer. Scanned pages may return no text; use Scan PDF to text for optical character recognition. Complex columns may read out of order.
Where are my files processed?+
All document contents remain on your device. Browser JavaScript and WebAssembly perform the work; no files are sent to a conversion service.
What files does pdf to text support?+
Use unencrypted PDFs; Unlock PDF can first remove encryption using a known password. Up to 100 MB total. Malformed, unusually large, or complex PDFs may exceed browser limits. Editing a signed PDF changes the document and can invalidate its signature.