Why you might need to extract text from a PDF
PDF files are great for viewing and printing, but they're not always easy to work with if you need to copy the text elsewhere, edit it, or search it with a simple text editor. Instead of copying and pasting every page by hand, the tool extracts all the text from the entire file in one step and gives you a ready .txt file.
How the tool extracts text
The tool reads the text layer that actually exists inside the PDF file (the selectable, copyable text), and extracts it in order without handling page formatting or images. This means it works very efficiently with PDF files created from original text documents (like Word or Google Docs), while for files made of scanned pages (images), you'll need a dedicated OCR tool instead of regular text extraction.
Steps to extract text from a PDF on Fastols
The tool extracts text in a few simple steps:
Upload the PDF file
Drag the file in or choose it from your device.
Wait for processing
The tool reads the file's content and extracts all the available text.
Review the extracted text
Look over the full text before downloading it to make sure it's accurate.
Download the text file
Download the result as a .txt file ready to use or edit.
Practical Tips Before You Start
Before uploading your file, keep these points in mind:
- Make sure your file contains actual text and not scanned images, or you won't get a good result.
- If the file contains tables, the text order may shift slightly during extraction since tables aren't converted with their original formatting.
- Review the extracted text before final use, especially if the file contains special characters or multiple languages.
- If your file is password-protected, make sure to remove the protection first before uploading it to the tool.
If your file consists of scanned pages, use the "Scanned PDF Text Extractor (OCR)" tool instead of this one to get an accurate result.
Common use cases
- Copying the content of a report or PDF contract to process it in a text editor.
- Extracting the text of an article or paper to reuse or summarize it.
- Preparing PDF text to be analyzed by other tools like a word counter or spell checker.
- Archiving document content as plain text that's easy to search later.
Why choose Fastols?
Fast, accurate extraction
Keeps the text in the same order as the original file
No file storage
Processing happens securely and your files aren't stored with us
Completely free
Unlimited use with no hidden fees
No extra software needed
Everything works directly from your browser
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the tool work with scanned PDF files?
No, this tool is meant for extracting text that already exists inside the file. If your file is made of scanned images, use the OCR text extraction tool instead.
Does the extraction preserve the original page formatting?
No, the tool only extracts the text in its general order, but it doesn't preserve complex formatting like multiple columns or tables in their original shape.
Can text be extracted from a file containing multiple languages?
Yes, the tool extracts any selectable text regardless of language, as long as the text is an actual part of the file's content and not an image.
Is there a limit on the size of the PDF file that can be uploaded?
The tool supports reasonable file sizes suited to most everyday documents and reports, and speed may vary slightly depending on the number of pages.
Are my files kept after the text is extracted?
No, processing is done solely to extract the text and download the result, without keeping a copy of your file on our servers.
Ready to extract the text from your file?
Try the PDF text extractor for free now, with no sign-up and nothing to install.
Try the PDF Text Extractor Now