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3 June 2024  Amanda J. Brook  Senior Product Manager
 

Summary
Learn how to easily edit scanned pdf documents by using PDF format for efficient file transfer and modification.



I. How to edit scanned PDF files?

edit scanned pdf document
Scanned files are usually saved in PDF format. To edit them, use software or websites with OCR functionality to convert PDF scanned files into writable formats (e.g., Word, Excel, TXT). Here’s how to do it.

(1) Use professional software: Renee PDF Aide

Renee PDF Aide is a professional PDF converter that can convert PDF files to Word, Excel, PPT, EPUB, TXT, HTML, and other formats, as well as convert pictures to PDF files. It features advanced OCR technology for high character recognition accuracy. Additionally, it allows you to repair, optimize, split, merge, encrypt, decrypt, and add watermarks to PDF documents. Below is a guide on using the OCR function to convert scanned PDF files into editable files for further editing.
Steps (take conversion to Word as an example):
Step 1: Download and install Renee PDF Aide .
Hot Topic - ADsRenee PDF Aide - Powerful PDF Editing Tool

Easy to use Friendly to computer beginners

Multifunctional Encrypt/decrypt/split/merge/add watermark

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Quick Edit/convert dozens of PDF files in batch

Compatible Convert PDF to Excel/PowerPoint/Text, etc.

Easy Use with simple steps

Functional Encrypt/decrypt/split/merge/watermark

Safe Protect PDF with AES256 algorithms

Free TrialFree TrialNow 800 people have obtained the free version!
Step 2: After the installation is complete, run the software and select (Convert PDF).
select to convert pdf with renee pdf converter
Step 3: Select the format document to be output. (This article takes converting to a Word document as an example)
Step 4: Click (Add Files) to load the PDF file that needs to be converted.
how to edit a scanned pdf set before converting with renee pdf converter
Step 5: Select Enable OCR. Choose the corresponding OCR language to improve character recognition. Ensure the scanned PDF is clear; low clarity reduces OCR accuracy.
enable ocr with renee pdf aide
Instructions for enabling OCR technology:
  • A. Recognize text in images or scanned PDFs. This option can recognize text in pictures or PDF scans, and the accuracy of text recognition can be further improved with the help of OCR technology.
  • B. Recognize embedded fonts (to avoid garbled codes). This option applies to the situation where there are built-in fonts in the PDF source file, which can avoid garbled characters after the format conversion is completed.
Step 6: Select the output folder in (Output Settings) and then click the (Convert) button.
enable ocr to recognize characters accurately in renee pdf aide
Tips: After converting a scanned PDF to a Word file, you can edit its content. If the PDF mainly contains tables, convert it to an Excel file. If you only need to edit the text and not the images, convert the PDF to a Text file.

(2) Use the online website: ONLINEOCR.net website

Besides professional editing software, online websites can also be useful. For example, ONLINEOCR.net allows you to convert PDF files into Word files for editing.
Step 1: Use a browser to enter the URL and enter the (free online OCR text recognition) interface. (Web site URL:https://www.onlineOCR.net/)
Step 2: After entering the website, click the (Select File) button to upload the file that needs to be converted, then select the OCR recognition language and output document format, and click the (Recognize and Convert) button.
how to convert scanned pdf to word with onlineocr
Step 3: After waiting for the conversion, click the (Download) button.
To publish a PDF file on a website and prevent others from editing its content, here’s how to disable editing.

II. How to disable editing of PDF files?

To prohibit editing PDF files, the most common method is to encrypt them using software. Encryption can restrict or prohibit editing operations. With the Renee PDF Aide tool, you can easily encrypt PDF files. The steps are as follows:
Step 1: Download and install Renee PDF Aide.
Hot Topic - ADsRenee PDF Aide - Powerful PDF Editing Tool

Easy to use Friendly to computer beginners

Multifunctional Encrypt/decrypt/split/merge/add watermark

Safe Protect PDF with AES256 algorithms

Quick Edit/convert dozens of PDF files in batch

Compatible Convert PDF to Excel/PowerPoint/Text, etc.

Easy Use with simple steps

Functional Encrypt/decrypt/split/merge/watermark

Safe Protect PDF with AES256 algorithms

Free TrialFree TrialNow 800 people have obtained the free version!
Step 2: After the installation is complete, run the software and select the (PDF Tools) option on the interface.
select pdf tools in renee pdf converter
Step 3: Select the (Encryption & Decryption) function and click the (Add Files) button to load the PDF file that needs to be encrypted.
add files to encrypt in renee pdf aide
Step 4: Load the file and set a password in the Password column. Configure editing restrictions and choose whether to allow printing, modifying, extracting text and pictures, adding comments, filling forms, and signing. To prevent others from editing, leave all options unchecked.
encrypt pdf to lock with renee pdf aide
Step 5: Set the output folder in (Output Settings) and click the (Convert) button to encrypt the PDF file.

III. Article Summary

This article introduces two methods to edit scanned PDF files. Renee PDF Aide offers more output formats and supports more OCR languages than online websites. Besides format conversion, Renee PDF Aide allows basic PDF editing, making it suitable for frequent PDF editors. In contrast, online websites have simpler functions and require file uploads, posing a data leakage risk. If your files are not confidential and are small with minimal content, online sites are also good options. Choose the method that best suits your needs.