What this guide covers
Turn a text-based PDF into copyable plain text with page-range and line-break controls, local processing, text statistics, and TXT download. Upload a PDF with selectable text, choose the pages and text layout, then select Extract Text. Copy the result or download TXT. Not directly. Scanned PDFs contain page images rather than a text layer, so use OCR PDF first and then extract the recognized text.
Turn a text-based PDF into copyable plain text with page-range and line-break controls, local processing, text statistics, and TXT download.
PDF to Text reads the selectable text layer already stored in a digital PDF. Choose all pages or a page range, preserve line breaks or create flowing paragraphs, copy the result, and download a UTF-8 TXT file.
The tool extracts embedded text from chosen pages and keeps the PDF item order as closely as the file allows. Preserve Line Breaks is useful for checking page structure; Merge Lines creates easier reading text. Optional page labels separate the TXT output by source page.
This tool does not perform OCR. A scanned or image-only PDF has no selectable text and must go through OCR first. Plain text cannot reproduce columns, tables, fonts, images, or exact visual layout, and encrypted or damaged PDFs may fail to open.
Before you start
- Keep the original file and work from a copy.
- Decide the required order, layout, and output format before processing.
- Test with a small sample and check the preview before exporting everything.
Recommended workflow
- 1
Upload a text-based PDF
Choose one PDF that contains selectable text rather than only scanned page images.
- 2
Choose pages and text layout
Leave the page range blank for all pages, or enter values such as 1, 3-5, 8, then choose line or paragraph mode.
- 3
Copy or download the text
Review page, word, and character counts, then copy the result or save it as a TXT file.
- 4
Review the complete output
Open the downloaded result and check order, cropping, readability, orientation, and file size.
Choose the right path
| Situation | Use | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Reuse document text | PDF to Text | Move report, policy, manual, and ebook text into notes, documents, or a CMS. |
| Research and quotation review | PDF to Text | Extract only relevant page ranges for searching, annotation, and source review. |
| Plain-text archives | PDF to Text | Create lightweight UTF-8 TXT copies of digital PDFs for indexing and automation. |
Common mistakes
- Starting without deciding the final order or layout.
- Trusting the preview without opening the downloaded file.
- Using maximum compression or cropping before checking important details.
Final checklist
- The original file is unchanged.
- Order and orientation are correct.
- Text and important details remain readable.
- The output opens in another viewer.
- The file format and size fit the sharing channel.
FAQ
How do I extract text from a PDF?
Upload a PDF with selectable text, choose the pages and text layout, then select Extract Text. Copy the result or download TXT.
Does PDF to Text work with scanned PDFs?
Not directly. Scanned PDFs contain page images rather than a text layer, so use OCR PDF first and then extract the recognized text.
Can I extract text from selected pages?
Yes. Enter individual pages and ranges such as 1, 3-5, 8. Leave the field blank to process every page.
Will the TXT preserve the original PDF layout?
No. Plain text keeps words and optional line breaks, but it cannot reproduce fonts, images, columns, or table geometry exactly.