Make a scanned PDF searchable with OCR

Open the scanned PDF in Adobe Acrobat to add searchable text. A scan can show readable words while containing only image data, so seeing text on the page does not mean a search can find it.

Recognize the text

Save a copy of the original scan for comparison. In Acrobat, open the PDF and select All tools > Scan & OCR > In this file. Choose the page range you need to search and the language of the text on those pages, then select Recognize Text. Acrobat says this adds a searchable text layer to the PDF. Selecting too narrow a range leaves pages you need outside the recognition job. See Adobe’s recognition instructions.

Check and correct the result

Search the processed PDF for a distinctive phrase visible on a page within the selected range. Check that the result leads to the right page and that the recognized wording matches the scan. A successful search confirms that phrase is findable; it does not verify the rest of the document. If a visible phrase is missing, check the page range and language you selected. Adobe advises reviewing the result and, when necessary, rerunning recognition with adjusted settings.

Recognition and correction are separate steps. To review words Acrobat flags as uncertain, select Correct recognized text in Scan & OCR and turn on Review recognized text. Select a highlighted box, compare the suggested word with the scanned image, edit the Recognized as field if needed, and select Accept. Adobe describes this process in its guide to fixing scanned text. Highlighted words give you specific places to review, but they are not proof that every other word is accurate. Refer to the original scan when exact wording matters.

Adobe’s official instructions were reviewed on 2026-09-29. HowCurio did not perform a hands-on test.