Why is my scanned PDF not searchable?
Learn why scanned PDFs have no text layer and how OCR makes them searchable and ready to translate.
Scans are pictures, not text
A scanned PDF stores each page as an image. Search, copy, and translate tools need a real text layer. Without OCR, the file looks readable to you but is invisible to software.
Run OCR first
Use OCR PDF to detect text and embed a searchable layer. Pick the language that matches the document for better accuracy. After OCR, you can search, convert to Word, or translate the content.
Tips for better results
Use a clear, upright scan at 200 DPI or higher. Deskew and auto-rotate options help when pages are tilted. Very low-contrast photos may need a cleaner rescan.