PDF to Text: When to Extract Text (and When Not To)
Published: 2026-02-16
PDF-to-text works best on digitally generated PDFs with selectable text. For scans, you’ll get limited results because the content is pixels, not text objects.
Tool: PDF to Text. If you need images instead: Extract Images or page conversion (PNG/JPG/WebP).
Q&A
Your PDF is likely a scan (image-based) or uses complex layout/outlined text. Extraction works best on digitally generated PDFs with selectable text.
Split the PDF into sections and extract text from only the pages you need, or remove irrelevant pages before extraction.
Usually it’s not necessary. If compression changes the PDF’s internal structure, it could affect extraction. Extract first if text accuracy is critical.
Convert the relevant pages to PNG/JPG/WebP at an appropriate DPI, especially for web or slide use.
If you’re authorized, you may need to unlock it first. After processing, you can re-protect the final PDF.