How to OCR a PDF File

This guide explains when and why RAAMP PDFs lack selectable text and how to run built-in OCR. It shows where to find files and the three-dot menu to trigger OCR, warns that RAAMP's OCR can be slow and may not improve with repeats, and recommends downloading the file to use Acrobat or another OCR service for better accuracy.

3 steps

How to Access Files

From the navigation menu, select **Files**.

Files Overview

The Companies, Properties, Tenants, and Contacts tabs have a Files tab specific to each company, property, tenant, and contact. These steps apply to any file located in RAAMP.

How to OCR a PDF File

If you are unable to copy text from a PDF within RAAMP, it is likely that the PDF is a scanned image and has not undergone OCR (Optical Character Recognition). OCR is a process that uses machine learning to convert scanned images of text into selectable and searchable text within your PDF.

Locate the **PDF File** > Select the file's **three-dot menu** > Select **OCR PDF**. *If the PDF has already been OCR'd, you'll receive a message as you hover over **OCR PDF**.*

The OCR Process is time-consuming. If the quality isn't what you desire, repeating the OCR process will not improve it. You should download the file and use Acrobat's OCR or a third party service like Google OCR.

**Related Tutorial(s):** [How to Generate a Missing Files Report](https://support.raamp.com/wiki/187)\ [How to Access, Upload, and Download Files](https://support.raamp.com/wiki/82)\ [How to Add, Delete, and Manage Access to File Folders](https://support.raamp.com/wiki/44)\ [How to Follow a Folder and Receive Notifications](https://support.raamp.com/wiki/215)\ [How to Upload Missing Files and Supporting Files](https://support.raamp.com/wiki/240)\ [How to Add a Key Date to a File](https://support.raamp.com/wiki/159)\ [How to Share Files](https://support.raamp.com/wiki/74)\ [How to Upload Files from a Phone Camera/Photos](https://support.raamp.com/wiki/75)

How to OCR a PDF File

3 steps

How to Access Files

From the navigation menu, select **Files**.

Files Overview

The Companies, Properties, Tenants, and Contacts tabs have a Files tab specific to each company, property, tenant, and contact. These steps apply to any file located in RAAMP.

How to OCR a PDF File

Locate the **PDF File** > Select the file's **three-dot menu** > Select **OCR PDF**. *If the PDF has already been OCR'd, you'll receive a message as you hover over **OCR PDF**.*