Choose the Perfect Solution to Edit Scanned PDF on Windows 10

We love it when our bosses or lecturers email hard-to-get reading materials that are useful for our work and assignments. We find it cute when they decide to scan their hard copies so that everyone in the team or class can have their own. However, these scanned documents are usually not editable or searchable.

This is because when you scan a document directly into a PDF file, the program translates texts and graphics as one large graphic image. If you are frustrated by this disability, you will be happy to know that there is a way to resolve this problem. Now I will show you how to edit scanned PDF on Windows 10 in a hassle-free way.

Part 1. Best Tools to Edit Image-Based PDF on Windows 10
Part 2. How to Edit and Convert a Scanned PDF on Windows 10

Part 1Best PDF Editor for editing Scanned PDF on Windows 10

Should you need to edit a scanned PDF file on your Windows 10 computer, it is best to use Wondershare PDFelement for Windows. The OCR technology embedded in PDFelement will increase the usability level of PDF files from scanned paper-based reading materials. Thanks to this plugin, you will be able to change the massive image into individual texts and graphics so that you will be able to highlight texts, insert notes and perform searches on the document.

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You are able to convert bother standard and scanned PDF files to Word, Excel, Text, PowerPoint, EPUB, HTML, RTF and images formats. If your PDF document is private and confidential, you will be able to secure it with a password to protect people from accessing or make changes on the PDF file.

Part 2How to Edit and Convert a Scanned PDF on Windows 10

To edit scanned PDF on Windows 10 computers, install the Wondershare PDFelement for Windows. It is really easy with the help of this software – all you need to do is follow these steps.

Step 1. Import Image-Based PDF

Launch PDFelement. Then on the Home window click on the "Open" button. A pop-up window will appear so that you can choose the scanned PDF file from your local folder. To start uploading the scanned PDF document, click on the "Open" button. You will be able to now see it on the software's interface.

Step 2. Choose OCR Language

If you have purchased and installed the OCR plug-in, then every time you upload a scanned PDF file the software will prompt you to perform OCR on the document. All you need to do is click the "Perform OCR" function, which will then ask you to select the language of the scanned PDF file. You can also go to "File > Options" to set OCR language under the "OCR" tab.

Step 3. Edit and Annotate Scanned PDF

To start editing the scanned PDF document, open the "Edit" tab. You can now use all the editing tools on the document. You can also use annotating functions housed under the "Comment" tab. This means you can put sticky notes, insert images and shapes, as well as add, delete or edit the texts.

Step 4. Convert a Scanned PDF

If you want to convert your scanned PDF to other editable formats, you can click the "Convert PDF" button on the Home window, or choose an output format under the "Home" tab.

In the pop-up conversion window, you can load more files by clicking the "Add Files" button, then choose a format for your document. The most important thing is tick the Enable OCR option. Finally click the "Convert" button to turn your scanned PDF into editable file.

Part 3Useful Tips for Working with Scanned PDF Documents

Scanning a document so that you can work with it on a PDF version should not be the most challenging task in your everyday routine. Here are some tips that will make working with scanned PDF documents easier and optimize the success of the OCR technology.
Make sure you set the scanner resolution between 300dpi and 600dpi. If the resolution is set too low, the scanner will not be able to detect texts and graphics properly. This resolution range is the best to maintain the integrity of the texts and graphics on the document. However, if you set it too high, it will be a waste of storage space.
To ensure a good scan, always use the "Black & White" setting. This will increase the probability of maintaining the integrity and readability of the file. The "Colour" and "Grayscale" settings will show a non-white background that cannot be removed even after OCR is applied.
Adjust the brightness and contrast on your scanner – make sure the fonts are as dark as possible and the background as light as possible.
Avoid fancy fonts because it is harder for the OCR to recognize it. The function may still recognize it, but it may need more time.
Make sure that the document is square and flat on the scanner bed. Take some time to perfect this as it will save you a lot of time – is it not heartbreaking to find out that the OCR plugin will not work on your document? Letters on straight rows are easier for the OCR to capture. OCR will not be able to capture distorted texts.
If the document is bigger than the scanner bed, crop it. If it is smaller, put a bigger paper on top of it. Unnecessary texts and darken edges on the document will only drag down the OCR program, making the whole process slower than it is supposed to.
If you are sending a document with scribbled note, be mindful that blue ink and pencil do not translate well by the scanner. For some reason scanners have difficulty in picking up blue ink and pencil marks. This will further disintegrate when you save the scanned document in PDF.