How to Enable and Use the Text Recognition Feature

The Text Recognition feature, also known as Optical Character Recognition (OCR), is a powerful tool that allows you to extract text from images or scanned documents. This feature is incredibly useful when you need to convert physical text into editable and searchable digital content. In this tutorial, we will guide you on enabling and using the Text Recognition feature on your device.

Enabling Text Recognition

Before you can start using the Text Recognition feature, ensure that you have the necessary software or apps installed on your device. There are several options available, but we will focus on two popular choices: Adobe Acrobat and Google Drive.

Adobe Acrobat

1. Install Adobe Acrobat Reader on your device if you haven't already. You can download it from the Adobe website or your device's app store.
2. Launch Adobe Acrobat Reader.
3. Open the image or scanned document you want to extract text from by clicking on "File" and selecting "Open."
4. Once the document is open, click on "Tools" located in the top toolbar.
5. In the "Tools" menu, click on "Enhance Scans."
6. A sidebar will appear on the right-hand side. Under the "Enhance Scans" menu, click on "Recognize Text."
7. From the dropdown menu, select "In This File" to recognize text within the current document or "All PDF Documents in Folder" to apply the text recognition to multiple files within a folder.
8. You can adjust the conversion settings by clicking on the "Settings" icon in the Recognize Text sidebar. Here, you can choose options such as the language of the text, the type of formatting, and more.
9. Click on "Recognize Text" to initiate the text recognition process.

Google Drive

1. Open your web browser and go to Google Drive.
2. Sign in to your Google account or create one if you don't have it.
3. Click on the "+ New" button on the left-hand side and select "File Upload."
4. Choose the image or scanned document you want to extract text from and upload it to your Google Drive.
5. Once the file is uploaded, right-click on it, select "Open with," and choose "Google Docs."
6. Google Docs will open with the extracted text from the uploaded file. You can now edit, search, and format the text as needed.

Using Text Recognition

Now that you have enabled the Text Recognition feature on your device let's explore how to use it effectively.

1. After enabling text recognition using Adobe Acrobat or Google Drive, you will have a document with the extracted text displayed.
2. If using Adobe Acrobat, the recognized text will appear in the main window, and you can simply select and copy the text to use it in other applications.
3. If using Google Drive, the extracted text will be available in Google Docs. You can edit, format, or copy the text from Google Docs to use it elsewhere.
4. Optional: In both Adobe Acrobat and Google Drive, you may need to proofread and correct any errors that occurred during the text recognition process. OCR is not always 100% accurate, especially with complex formatting or handwriting.
5. Save the document with the extracted text for future reference or share it with others if needed.

Conclusion

The Text Recognition feature is a valuable tool for converting physical text into digital formats, making it editable and searchable. By enabling this feature using Adobe Acrobat or Google Drive, you can extract text from images or scanned documents effortlessly. Once you have the extracted text, you can use it as needed, whether it's for editing, searching, or sharing purposes. Remember to proofread for any errors and enjoy the benefits of this powerful feature.