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Why Copying Text from Images is a Game-Changer

Have you ever tried to copy text from a PDF, screenshot, or image—only to realize it’s not selectable?

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You’re not alone. Manually retyping text from images is frustrating, time-consuming, and often leads to errors. Whether it’s an important email screenshot, a research document, or a receipt, being able to quickly extract text from an image can dramatically boost productivity.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

  • How copying text from images works
  • Common pain points it solves
  • Practical use cases to speed up your workflow

Let’s dive in.

What is Image to Text Copying?

Copying text from an image means using OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology to extract and convert non-editable text into usable, selectable text.

Instead of manually retyping information, OCR tools scan and recognize text from images, screenshots, and locked PDFs so you can copy and paste it like normal text.

This works on:

  • Screenshots from websites, software, or presentations
  • Scanned PDFs and documents that prevent copying
  • Photos of receipts, handwritten notes, or whiteboards

With AI-powered OCR tools, extracting text is now fast, accurate, and effortless.

Pain Points Solved by Copying Text from Images

1️⃣ No More Manual Retyping

Rewriting text by hand is slow, tedious, and prone to mistakes. Copying text from an image allows you to:

✔ Instantly extract text from non-editable files
✔ Avoid typos and formatting errors
✔ Copy and paste text directly into emails, reports, or documents

2️⃣ Unlocking Text from Screenshots & PDFs

Many PDFs and screenshots prevent users from selecting and copying text. OCR tools let you:

✔ Extract text from images that can’t be highlighted
✔ Copy locked text from PDFs that don’t allow text selection
✔ Retrieve data from scanned contracts, invoices, and reports

3️⃣ Faster Workflows, Fewer Repetitive Tasks

Copying data manually from images slows down productivity. OCR tools help you:

✔ Quickly grab text from error messages or online forms
✔ Convert meeting notes into editable documents
✔ Capture research or study materials from digital textbooks

Practical Use Cases for Copying Text from Images

#1 – Extracting Text from Screenshots

Many professionals take screenshots of important information but struggle to copy text from them later. OCR makes it easy to:

  • Copy text from software UIs, websites, and apps
  • Grab error messages and system logs for IT support
  • Convert text from presentations or webinar slides

#2 – Copying Locked Text from PDFs

PDFs often restrict text selection, making it difficult to copy information. With an OCR tool, you can:

  • Copy text from scanned contracts and reports
  • Extract content from protected PDFs
  • Convert archived documents into editable formats

#3 – Quickly Retrieving Information from Images

Instead of manually retyping handwritten notes or printed text, OCR helps you:

  • Copy text from whiteboards or sticky notes
  • Extract addresses, phone numbers, or important data from documents
  • Convert business cards into digital contacts

How to Copy Text from Images in 3 Simple Steps

1️⃣ Choose the Right OCR Tool

Popular options include:

  • Markup Hero - take screenshots, annotate and extract text from any image

PRO TIP: Try Markup Hero's Image to Text AI instantly for free, no credit card or account creation required.

  • Google Lens – Extracts text from screenshots and images
  • Adobe Acrobat OCR – Great for converting PDFs into editable text
  • Microsoft OneNote OCR – Works well for capturing text from notes
  • Tesseract OCR – A free, open-source option for developers
  • Online OCR Tools – Quick solutions with no installation required

2️⃣ Upload or Scan Your Image

Most tools allow you to upload a file, drag and drop an image, or take a live screenshot.

3️⃣ Copy & Paste the Extracted Text

Once processed, you can:

✔ Copy text directly into a document
✔ Edit or format it in Word, Google Docs, or Notepad
✔ Save it as a searchable PDF for future use

Final Thoughts: Why You Should Use Image to Text Copying

If you’re still manually retyping text from screenshots, PDFs, or images, you’re wasting valuable time.

With OCR-powered text extraction, you can:

✅ Copy text instantly from images

✅ Extract text from locked PDFs and screenshots

✅ Save hours of manual work

Whether you’re a student, a researcher, or a business professional, copying text from images simplifies your workflow and eliminates tedious data entry.

Start using an image to text tool today, and see how much time you can save!