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Drag and drop, or click to upload a PDF quickly and get started instantly.
It's never been easier to get text out of a PDF. Begin by uploading your PDF to the upload box, or dragging it to where it says "Drag and drop your file here." After the file has been uploaded, conversion starts within seconds, no waiting and no need to download additional software. In no time, the text is extracted, cleaned, and converted to plain TXT output. From there, copy, edit, or download the extracted text for reports, documentation, or reuse in Word or Notepad. There's nothing to install and nothing to configure, the whole process happens directly in the browser from start to finish.
These features focus on getting the words out of a PDF as reliably and cleanly as possible, whether the source file is a simple typed document or a decades-old scan.
Drag and drop, or click to upload a PDF quickly and get started instantly.
The AI engine identifies and converts all embedded text in a PDF into editable text format.
Keeps original line breaks, paragraph spacing, and text alignment as accurately as possible.
Even image-based PDFs become searchable and editable with advanced OCR recognition.
Convert small or large PDFs without compromising speed or quality.
Supports most global languages for precise text extraction, provided the file isn't encrypted.
Password-protected PDFs can be handled securely by providing credentials for safe content extraction without data leaks. If the password isn't known, Unlock PDF may be able to remove restrictions first, provided access is authorized.
No registration, hidden costs, or limits, convert as many files as needed.
Our advanced OCR turns scanned or image-based PDFs into editable text while keeping accuracy high — perfect for old archives, forms, and screenshots.
Paragraphs, line breaks, and indentation are retained for a smooth, readable output ready for Word, Excel, or databases.
Fully online, no installations needed. High-speed cloud servers ensure fast and efficient conversions on any platform or device.
Simply upload a PDF and click "Convert." Within seconds, the text is ready to copy, preview, or download, fast and simple.
Handle password-protected PDFs securely by providing credentials for safe content extraction without data leaks.
Plain text output is integration-ready for APIs, apps, machine learning pipelines, or automation workflows.
Converting PDF to text matters most whenever content needs to be searchable, editable, or reusable in a system that doesn't need formatting at all, from research workflows to backend data pipelines.
Extract text from academic journals or research PDFs easily for use in assignments, summaries, or notes without retyping. When working from several related papers at once, Merge PDF can combine them into a single file before extracting text from all of them together.
Convert invoices, reports, and statements into editable text for databases or spreadsheets, saving time and preventing manual errors. For a long statement where only a few pages are needed, Extract PDF Pages can isolate just those pages first.
Repurpose text for blogs, articles, or marketing content easily, copywriters and editors can recycle PDF text instantly.
Extract multilingual text for use in translation systems like DeepL or Google Translate, perfect for linguists and global teams.
Extract text from contracts or filings to run keyword searches, compare clauses, or feed content into a compliance-checking system that doesn't need the original layout.
PDFs can contain a lot more than plain paragraphs, and it's worth knowing how the less obvious elements are handled when converting to plain text.
Tables convert to their raw text content, row by row, since plain text has no concept of table structure, borders, or cell shading to preserve.
Hyperlinks convert to their visible text only; the underlying clickable link is not retained, since plain text files can't carry embedded links the way a PDF or HTML page can.
Multi-column layouts are read in reading order as closely as possible, though very complex layouts, such as side-by-side text boxes, may need a quick manual check afterward.
Scanned or image-based pages are processed through OCR, turning what was previously just a picture of text into fully extractable, plain text content.
Headers, footers, and page numbers are extracted along with the rest of the page content, so a repeated header or footer line may appear once per page in the output rather than being automatically filtered out.
The main exception is anything purely visual, such as images, charts, or design elements; these don't have a text equivalent and are simply omitted from the plain text output, leaving only the words themselves.
● PDF to Text (this tool) strips a PDF down to its raw words, the right choice when the only goal is searchable, editable content with no formatting, links, or layout attached.
● PDF to Html also extracts a PDF's content, but keeps structure, styling, and links intact for use as a web page. Use PDF to Html when the output needs to look like a formatted page rather than a plain text file.
It converts PDF files into plain text (.txt) format, allowing easy editing and reuse of content.
Yes, it's 100% free to use, no watermarks, no registration, and no usage limits.
Basic text structure is preserved, including lines and paragraphs, though complex layouts are simplified for clarity.
Yes, the OCR system accurately extracts text from scanned or image-based PDFs.
Yes, provided the correct password is entered, protected PDFs can be extracted securely without exposing the file elsewhere.
Absolutely, all files are encrypted during transfer and deleted automatically after processing.
For general questions about PDF24, visit our documentation.
Upload your PDF file above to start converting to text in seconds, no account or extra software required.