Optical Character Recognition (OCR) softwares and platforms enable the decoding of images of typed, written, or handwritten text into electronically recognizable text. OCR enables readers who use assistive technology to access the content in documents such as scanned PDFs. *Note: If you use another scanner that generates image files, you can use OCR software to convert it to machine-readable text. See below for OCR-enabled scanners at NYU.
Adobe Acrobat DC: Adobe’s OCR feature requires only one click and generates a custom font that matches your document. Check out the how-to guide. Paid (subscription model).
FreeOCR: Windows-only OCR software that outputs files in TXT format. FREE.
VueScan: Mac-only lightweight scanning software that works with virtually any scanning hardware, and features optimal OCR. (Note: VueScan’s mobile app does not include native OCR technology). Paid.
ABBYY FineReader: OCR software that can also optimize the quality of PDF files as well as output them in a format that automatically adjusts to the size of your reading screen. Paid.
NewOCR: upload your document (PDF, JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP, TIFF, orDjVu) to this browser-based platform to convert it to a text file. Supports multiple languages, and offers output on PDF, DOC and TXT formats. FREE.
Scanner Pro: this mobile app (iOS only) is a great on-the-go solution with reliable character recognition. Also available in desktop software format for Macs. Paid.
CamScanner: mobile app for scanning on the go with subscription-based cloud services (optional). FREE.