Nowadays, We often need to convert scanned documents, pictures, and screenshots into editable text. If you are a student, professional teacher, and businessman, extracting text from images is an important task for you. No matter, Whether you need to convert scanned documents into editable text, extract text from handwritten notes, or extract important information from an image.

There are several methods available that fulfill your needs. In this article, we will discuss the top five methods to extract text from images. We also discuss their advantages, limitations, and use cases.

1.   By Using An Online Picture To Text Converter:

The most simple and easy way to convert picture to text is by using an online converter. These tools use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology to recognize the content in an image and convert it into editable digital text. These online converters are considered a popular and best solution for this type of conversion because they do not require any software installation and can be accessed from any device with a stable internet connection.

How It Works:

• Upload an image file (JPG, JPEG, and PNG) onto the toolbox.
• Click on the “Convert” button and the OCR technology extracts text from the image.
• The extracted text can be displayed.
• Click on the “Download” button to save your converted text.

Features:

• Simple and handy interface.
• Fast and accurate.
• Supports multiple image formats.
• Multilingual support.
• Safe and secure.
• Free of cost.
• Support batch conversions.

Limitations:

• Requires an internet connection.
• Accuracy may depend on image quality.

Best for:

Students, teachers, Freelancers, business and legal professionals.

2.   Extracting Text with Mobile Apps:

Smartphones have made an image to text conversion easy and more accessible through multiple mobile apps that also use OCR technology. By using these apps users can easily extract text from documents, business cards, and handwritten notes and convert it into editable digital text.

How It Works:

• Download an Image to text converter app from Google Play Store or App Store.
• Open the app and use your phone’s camera OR your mobile gallery to scan and extract text from image.
• The converted text can be displayed. Now you can copy, share, save, or download it.

Features:

• Universally accessible.
• Online functionality.
• Cloud storage integration.
• Easy to use.
• Handwriting recognition.

Limitations:

• Text recognition accuracy depends on camera quality.
• Some features may require a premium subscription.

Best for:

People who need to extract text while on the move, such as students, researchers, and business professionals.

3.   Extracting Text Using Google Lens:

Google Lens is a useful AI-based tool. It allows users to convert image to text by using their smartphone camera. This tool is widely used for language translation, document scanning, and quick text extraction.

How It Works:

• Open the Google Lens app on your mobile.
• Focus your camera on an image containing text.
• The extracted text can be highlighted.
• Now copy, translate, or save the extracted text as you need.

Features:

• No subscription is required.
• Support text translation in real-time.
• Easily copy text to Google Docs, Gmail, or Keep.
• You can analyze images stored in your phone’s gallery.

Limitations:

• Requires a smartphone with Google Lens support.
• Accuracy depends on lighting and image quality.

Best for:

Anyone who needs an easy-to-use and free tool for extracting text, translating languages, or scanning documents.

4.   Extracting Text with Computer Software:

For users who need advanced text extraction with high accuracy. The computer OCR software is a good solution. Many professional OCR softwares are designed for extracting text from scanned documents, PDFs, and even handwritten notes.

How It Works:

• Install OCR software like Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Onenote, and Screen OCR.
• Open an image file or scanned document.
• The software processes the image and extracts text into an editable format.

Features:

• High Accuracy OCR.
• Batch processing.
• Works Offline.
• Support scanned PDFs:

Limitations:

• Most high-quality OCR software requires a paid subscription.
• Can be complex for beginners.

Let’s Conclude:

In conclusion, extracting text from images has become easy with various methods like online converters, mobile apps, Google Lens, and computer software. Each method has its benefits, depending on your needs. Online tools are quick and convenient, mobile apps offer flexibility, Google Lens is great for instant text extraction, and computer software provides high accuracy. Choose the method that suits you best and easily convert image to text anytime.