AI PDF Reader: Transform Your Document Workflow with Advanced PDF Processing

Most of the important information regarding educational material or professional work is stored in PDF documents on the Internet. Suppose you download a PDF file containing your required information but cannot copy text from the PDF. You might be wondering about the reason why you can't copy text from PDF and its solution. In this article, we will explain the reason and solve this problem using effective ways.

Part 1: Why Can't I Copy Text from a PDF

If you can't copy text from a PDF file, there can be three reasons. You can read these reasons in more detail below:

1. Scanned Documents or Images

It is not possible to copy text from scanned documents or images. If you want to copy text from a scanned document or image, you need to convert it to an editable PDF document. You can do that using the OCR feature in PDF converter or editor tools.

2. Restrictions on Accessibility

If the PDF file you have downloaded can open, but you are still unable to copy text, it might have restricted permissions. There is a chance that the author has made it so that no one can copy or edit his PDF files.

3. Open Password Protection

It is possible to lock them from opening using passwords. So, if you have downloaded a document that is password-locked, you won't be able to open it, so you cannot copy the content. Check the website from where you have downloaded the PDF file, as it might also have the password. Otherwise, you would need to contact the author of the document.

Part 2: 3 Effective Solutions to Fix Can't Copy Text from PDF

Now, you know the reasons why you cannot copy text from the PDF and want to know how to fix it. We will show the methods to you for different scenarios. Just follow and we are sure that you are fix the problem.

Solution 1: OCR Scanned PDFs or Images

If your document is scanned or image only, you will need to convert a scanned document or image into an editable and searchable PDF file if you want to copy text from it. To convert a scanned document, you can use AI PDF Reader which is the cheapest PDF editor with OCR tool. And its OCR accuracy is about 99%. You can download AI PDF Reader via the button below and follow the steps to fix cannot copy text from PDF issue:

Step 1: Choose the OCR Tool

First, download AI PDF Reader here, and import your PDF document to the AI PDF Reader desktop application using the "Open File " button. Next, select the "Recognize Text Using OCR " option located at the right-side toolbar. It will open a mini window asking you to set up the outline for applying the OCR on the scanned document.

Step 2: Start Applying OCR

You have to enable the "Searchable PDF " option as the document type and choose "Text and Pictures Only " or "Text over the page image " as the layout. Afterward, choose the document language. Here, I select "English" for this document, and customize the image resolution and page range. Once you have confirmed the layout and other requirements, initiate the OCR process by hitting the "Perform OCR " button. You can see the OCR progress on the screen, and you can start copying the text after the OCR completion.

Select English to perform OCR with AI PDF Reader on Windows

Step 3. Copy the Text from Scanned or Image Only PDF

Now, you can click on the "Edit PDF " icon, highlight the content, and right-click to copy.

Right click to copt the content in AI PDF Reader on Windows

Why not download AI PDF Reader by clicking the button below and try it on your own?

Solution 2: Use AI to Copy Text from the PDF

When you open the PDF and cannot copy the text from it because the PDF is scanned or image only or it is permission password protected, you can use AI PDF Reader's AI feature to copy text from the PDF directly. Just follow the guide below.

Step 1. Open the PDF with AI PDF Reader, click on the "AI PDF Reader AI" > "Chat" > "Screenshot".

Extract text from the image with AI PDF Reader windows

Step 2. Draw to select the content you want to copy, and enter the prompt "Extract the text from the image ". Press the "Send " button and you can copy the text directly.

Solution 3: Remove Restrictions

If the problem consists of security restrictions, you can use AI PDF Reader to resolve it. But please note you have to know the password to use it as it is illegal to remove the password from PDF without permission. To resolve cannot copy text from a PDF issue due to accessibility restrictions, follow these steps to fix:

Step 1: Select the Remove Security Feature

Open the PDF document from which you want to copy the text in the AI PDF Reader application. Next, tap the "Protect Using Password " tool from the right panel. Select the "Remove Security " feature and provide the password that was used to restrict the editing of the PDF document.

cannot copy text from pdf and tap on remove security

Step 2: Remove the Permission Password to Solve can not Copy Text from PDF

Tap on "Remove " after providing the password, and AI PDF Reader will remove all the restrictions from the PDF document. Click on "Edit PDF " to copy the text you want.

remove security to solve unable to copy text from pdf

If you want to learn more details, kindly watch the video below. And to know AI PDF Reader better, you can read this review article from Laptopmedia here.

Download AI PDF Reader to fix the "can't copy text from PDF" issue now!

Part 3: Bonus Tip: The Best PDF Editor to Use After Fixing Unable to Copy Text from PDF Issue

The problem of not copying PDF text from a document can be solved using AI PDF Reader. AI PDF Reader is not only an editing tool but a comprehensive toolbox for all the issues regarding PDFs. You can add or remove passwords or security permissions using it. When working on its OCR function to transform scanned documents, you can choose between a plethora of options. You can choose different types of outlines and multiple options to customize the layout and document type. It supports 38 languages when performing OCR and also allows you to define image resolution.

why cant i copy text from pdf with ocr

There are many other great features available in AI PDF Reader regarding annotating, organizing, and conversion. We have summarized some of these features and advantages below for you:

Robust Features of AI PDF Reader PDF Toolkit

AI PDF Reader Editor Tool: AI PDF Reader has a great PDF editor tool with many unique features. You can insert new text into the document or remove any redundant information. If the images have low quality or there are updated images available, you can add or remove these from documents. Regarding links, it allows you to create inter-page links in long documents, aside from web links.
Resize PDF Document: In the organizing tool of AI PDF Reader, you can add or remove pages from PDF files to reduce their size. If the file is too long, you can remove any page that contains unnecessary information. The pages can also be rotated and exported using AI PDF Reader.
PDF to PDF/A Conversion: If you want to archive your PDF documents for a long time, you would need to convert these to PDF/A format. AI PDF Reader allows you to convert your PDF documents to PDF/A files safely and securely.
Personalized Watermarks: To ensure that no one can copy and steal your document data as their own, you can add personalized watermarks to Your PDF documents. Aside from watermarks, it is also possible to add signatures and stamps.
AI PDF Reader AI: AI PDF Reader is integrated with AI technology, aiming to help to summarize, translate, and explain PDF documents effortlessly.

Advantages of Using AI PDF Reader as your Daily PDF Editor

Fast Processing: The processing speed of AI PDF Reader is very fast. It allows you to perform edits in PDF documents in quick succession without any lag or wait time.
Dynamic Interface: AI PDF Reader's interface is smooth and dynamic, which keeps users engaged and relaxed. All main features are located within your eyesight.
Inexpensive: When compared to other tools in the market, AI PDF Reader offers the most features at the lowest cost. You can perform all types of PDF-related tasks on it without spending a large amount of money.
High Efficiency: It is highly efficient software that enhances your workflow without adding extra load on your device. Your system won't heat up when running AI PDF Reader.

Want to know more about AI PDF Reader? You can read this review article from BGR and watch the below video review.

Download AI PDF Reader now and try it for free! In addition, AI PDF Reader is now on big sales, grab the chance to purchase it and save up now!

Part 4: Frequently Asked Questions about PDF can't Copy Text

1. How do I Enable Copy and Paste in PDF?

If your PDF document has no restrictions, you can enable the copy-and-paste feature by opening it in AI PDF Reader and selecting the "Edit PDF" option. If you have a scanned document, you can convert it to an editable form using OCR in AI PDF Reader. After converting the document, select "Edit PDF" mode to enable copy and paste in AI PDF Reader.

2. How can I Remove Restrictions from a PDF?？

You can use AI PDF Reader to remove restrictions on PDF. For that, select the "Remove Security" option in AI PDF Reader after opening your document and provide the password to remove all restrictions on your PDF document.

3. Is there a Way to Copy Text from a PDF?

As long as a PDF document allows you to copy text, you can copy it by opening it in AI PDF Reader. Afterward, select the target text and right-click on it. Now, select the "Copy" option to copy the text in a document.

4. How do I Copy Text from a PDF like Word?

When using AI PDF Reader, you can copy text directly in reader mode when you open the PDF. Or you can click on the "Edit PDF" feature and select "Text" to start copying the text of your PDF file like Word. You can copy any text you want using these methods. In the Editing mode, you can also change, remove, or modify text format like Word.

Also Read: Not Recognizing Text in PDF? Fixed with 3 Methods

Conclusion

Since PDF is the most favored format for digital documents, you cannot avoid dealing with them. It also means your required data will often be in PDF documents where you cannot copy it. In these situations, a tool like AI PDF Reader is a lifesaver, allowing you to use AI to copy the text, remove security restrictions, and perform OCR on scanned PDF documents. You can download it for a trial.