You decide what is sent
Nothing leaves your device until you agree. Then only the images of the scanned pages are sent, and each is deleted as soon as its text is back.
Edit a scanned PDF: read the scan, then change the text
A scanned page is a picture of words. GenPDF reads them, in any language on the page, Arabic included, then lets you click a line and type. Reading needs our server and your agreement: each scanned page's image is sent, read, and deleted as soon as the text is back.
or drop it here
- Scans are read on our server only if you agree
- Free, no account needed
- Works on phones
How it works
How to edit a scanned PDF
- 01
Choose your scanned PDF, then choose Edit text. GenPDF asks whether to read the scanned pages.
- 02
Agree, check the lines that were read, and choose Make text editable to save them into the PDF.
- 03
Click a line, type the change, and download the PDF.
Why GenPDF
Edit a scanned PDF with GenPDF: what is different
Fix a date, a name, a figure
Change a date, a name or an amount on a scanned letter or form: click the line and type, and the rest of the page stays the scan it was.
The old words are covered
When you change a line, the scanned words under it are painted over with the colour of the page around them, and your new text is written in their place.
Questions
Edit a scanned PDF: questions and answers
Can I change the text of a scanned PDF?
Yes. Choose the scanned PDF, agree to have its pages read, then click a line and type over it. Each page's image goes to our server to be read and is deleted as soon as the text is back. To only copy or search the text, use OCR.
Is my scanned PDF uploaded?
Only with your agreement, and only the images of the pages you choose to read; each is deleted once its text is back. Your edits and the saved PDF stay in your browser.
Which font do my new words use?
A clean font in the ink colour of the scan: a scanned page is a picture and holds no font to reuse. The old words are covered with the page colour. On a plain paper background it looks tidy; on a photo, a texture or a gradient, the cover can show.
Why was some text not read?
Clear, straight scans read best. Turned text, handwriting and letters no available font can draw are left out and counted. Deskew straightens a slanted scan.
How many scanned pages are free?
5 scanned pages a day are read free, with no account; Pro or a 7-day pass reads 100 a day. The free plan includes 3 edited-PDF downloads a day.
Blog
Articles about this tool
Guides
OCR or PDF editing? Choose the right tool for a scanned PDF
A searchable scan is not the same as editable page text. Learn when to use OCR, edit existing words or convert a scanned PDF to Word.