How to Convert Scanned PDF Documents to Plain Text using Google Docs (A Step by Step Guide for Project and Seminar Students)

If you are a Project or Seminar student, this post will interest you the most, as you are on your way to exploring how to convert scanned pdf documents to plain text. I used to be a Cyber Cafe' Admin at Cubes Systems InfoTech, an ICT center very close to University of Uyo, Nigeria. This is one popular Cafe' where students come in their numbers to browse their project and seminar topics. While they do their research online, they often come across scanned pdf documents with almost the points they seek, but unfortunately these pdf documents can only be printed directly and also very blurring as they had already been scanned. Having passed through the same challenge while in school, I decided to seek a solution to this. In this post, I will be showing you how you can convert scanned pdf documents to plain text document using Google docs. All you need do is follow the step by step guide I have provided and you will be able to convert any kind of scanned pdf document online to a plain and readable text.

So What is Google Docs?

Google Docs which stands for Google Documents is an online document archive that lets you create, share, and collaborate on the web with documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and more. It is one of the free services rendered by Google to students and people whose business requires dealings with documents online.

What Do I Need To Get Started?


Like I said using Google docs is completely free, the only thing you need is a Google account which you can equally create free of charge. If you have a Gmail account or any other Google account then you already good to go! You can visit Gmail.com to quickly create a free Google account.

Alright, you now understand what Google docs means, and you also have or created a Google account? Lets proceed to the main business.


How Convert Your Scanned PDF Documents To Plain Text With Google Docs

Step 1: First save the scanned pdf document on your desktop


Step 2: Visit Google Docs and login to your Google account.

Step 3: Click on the "Upload button" in the circled screen-shot below, choose Settings and make sure to check the following three options

• Convert documents, presentations, spreadsheets and drawings to the corresponding Google Docs format


• Convert Text from uploaded PDF and image files.


• Confirm settings before each upload

 

See the screen shot below:

 

 

 

 

Step 4: Now click on "File" to pop up a new window, search for the scanned pdf document you saved on your desktop and then click on "Open" to attach the pdf file to Google doc uploader. Another pop up like the one in the screen-shot below will show. This is the final upload settings.

 

 

 

 

 

Step 5: Click on "Start upload" and then wait for few minutes depending on the speed of your internet connection for Google to convert your scanned pdf document to a plain text.

 

 

Demonstration of the Tutorial 

 

 

A demonstration of this tutorial can be seen with some part of NaijaTechBlog's "About Us" message which I printed out, scanned and converted to pdf.

 

 

NTB About Us "Scanned Pdf Document" (Before)

 

 

 

NTB About Us "Plain Text" (After)

 

 

 

You can either print or save your converted document for easy reading!

 

 

I hope you enjoyed reading this tutorial? Do let me know areas you found hard doing by dropping it via the comment form below, so I can help.

 

 

Cheers!