How to Convert Scanned PDFs into Searchable and Editable Text with Foxit PDF Editor
This video tutorial shows you how to turn a flat, unsearchable scanned PDF into a fully searchable and editable document using Foxit PDF Editor's OCR tools. You'll see a two-pass workflow — first creating a searchable copy with suspect-word review to verify accuracy while preserving the original scan, then rerunning OCR to produce a fully editable version.
Legacy scans create real friction: you can't search them, copy from them, or edit them without starting over. Foxit PDF Editor's Recognize Text feature solves this directly from the Convert tab, letting you review flagged words for accuracy before committing to an editable version — so you always keep a verified, unaltered reference copy alongside your working file.
Give Your Legacy Scans a Second Life as Real, Working Documents
This video is ideal for:
- Legal teams digitizing scanned case files for search and review
- Healthcare organizations converting scanned forms into usable records
- Education teams archiving school records in a searchable format
- Records and admin teams working with legacy scanned documents
- Anyone who needs a scanned PDF to be both searchable and editable
Video Timestamps
0:00 — Why This Scanned PDF Can't Be Edited or Searched: Confirm a legacy scan is just a flat image before converting it.
0:23 — Opening Recognize Text (OCR) from the Convert Tab: Run Recognize Text on the current file to begin the OCR process.
0:34 — Understanding the Output Options: Choose between Searchable Image Text (with suspect review) and Editable Text.
0:46 — Configuring OCR Settings and Running Recognition: Set page range, language, and resolution, then enable suspect-word review.
1:04 — Reviewing Suspect Words Against the Original Scan: Compare flagged words to the scan and correct any errors.
1:25 — Rerunning OCR to Create Fully Editable Text: Reopen the original and rerun OCR once accuracy is confirmed.
1:43 — Real-World Uses: See how legal, healthcare, and education teams apply this workflow to case files, forms, and school records.
Key Takeaways
- Confirm whether a scanned PDF is a flat image before attempting to search or edit it
- Run Foxit PDF Editor's Recognize Text (OCR) tool directly from the Convert tab
- Choose Searchable Image Text with suspect review to verify accuracy while preserving the original scan
- Rerun OCR to produce a fully editable version once accuracy is confirmed
- Review and correct flagged "suspect" words against the original document
- Apply this workflow to digitize case files, forms, and records across legal, healthcare, and education
Learn more about Foxit PDF Editor and get a quote for volume licenses.