Make a scanned PDF searchable (OCR) on Mac
To make a scanned PDF searchable (OCR) on a Mac, double-tap the right Option key and type “make this searchable”. A new PDF that looks the same, with invisible text over the words, so you can search, select and copy. Pages that already have text are skipped.
How to do it
- Select the files in Finder, pick them with @ in the bar, or name them in plain words ("my last pdf").
- Double-tap the right Option key to open the bar.
- Type “make this searchable”.
- Press Return. The new file appears next to the original.
Type
- make this searchable
- ocr this scan
What you get
A new PDF that looks the same, with invisible text over the words, so you can search, select and copy. Pages that already have text are skipped.
The original is never changed or overwritten. Undo trashes what the job made.
The free Mac way
Preview's Live Text lets you select text in a scan, but doesn't save it into the file.
Limits
- Uses Apple's text recognition: Sinhala and some other scripts can't be read.
- The first use after installing can take longer while macOS warms up text recognition.
Questions
Is my file uploaded?
No. Whizra does the job on your Mac, and your files never leave it. The only thing the app sends is your license key check.
Does it change the original?
No. The original is never changed or overwritten, and Undo takes the job back.
What can't it do?
Uses Apple's text recognition: Sinhala and some other scripts can't be read. The first use after installing can take longer while macOS warms up text recognition.
Is there a free way on a Mac?
Preview's Live Text lets you select text in a scan, but doesn't save it into the file.