Solved Can't Copy Text From pdf Document!

[technomann]

I have a pdf document that I downloaded from the internet. I just want to copy the text of a paragraph or two to cite as a quotation in another work--fair use and the source is duly noted. However I am unable to highlight any of the text in order to copy it to the clipboard. I have downloaded the trial version of a dozen or more so-called "pdf copy text protection removal" programs, but so far nothing seems to work. What am I missing? Does anyone have a clue?

Thanks for any and all responses!

 

[Marshall Moore]

Capture it with the snipping tool and print it, Then scan it into Word. Might work!

 

[Dwarf]

If the PDF document is copy-protected, then the only way round it is to manually copy the section(s) you require. If the either of the section(s) is/are long, it might be better just to quote a teaser (the first couple of sentences or so), and then provide a link to the original document giving its location within that document. Remember that you might need permission for this, and that the source should be cited.

 

[mach04]

There is also possible to print the page containing that section you want to use into a new pdf file, and then use an OCR software which converts that pdf file to a new text file, and then you can copy the section you need.
Free OCR Software - FreeOCR.net the free OCR list - Optical character recognition software

 

[rraod]

The reason why a paragraph can not be selected in a PDF is that it is a scanned page containing bitmapped image and not text.

If the paragraph is a small one, you can type it again in Microsoft Word or any text editor.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there


If it IS a scanned document then OK there are problems since as the previous guy says its bitmapped and you'll need some sort of OCR type program -- however if it's a REGULAR PDF file then this should work fine

1) Just select the text in the PDF file when opening the PDF reader (I'm using Adobe Reader version X and use COPY from the menu bar).

To select the text just position the mouse against the text you want to copy and hold the CTRL button and move the mouse down through the lines of text).

2) Then Paste to a Notepad file (use wordwrap)

3) Now you can copy the text into a Word document or whatever.

Diagram enc.


Cheers
jimbo.

 

[cyclic]

There is a free program available PDFEdit which has the ability to copy text to other documents.
PDFedit | Free Graphics software downloads at SourceForge.net

 

[killer bee]

i use Foxit Reader 5.1 i can select and copy text.

 

[killer bee]

There are lot of free online PDF to Docs/text converter, you can try them. ex:-http://www.convertpdftotext.net/

 

[whs]

I do not know what PDF reader you use. But in Foxit you have to go to the Tools button and click on "Select Text". Only then you can highlight anything. I believe it is similar in Adobe.

 

[Hawaiian]

I would suggest that you consider Dwarf's suggestion to link the document if no editing is required or Jimbo45's suggestion and use the freeware versions if you are going to only need it for the onesy twosy needs.

For those times when you need a heavy duty conversion tool and you don't want to spend a lot of time reformatting spreadsheets and documents check out Adobe Acrobat Pro X.

If you have or can get access to Adobe Acrobat Pro X, then it is really flexible because it not only converts the document but it also keeps the formatting of the document (less retyping - less reformatting). It can do a whole host of options for you including digital signing and protecting your document library of files. It is also compatible with a host of types of files, doc,docx,xls,xlsx and so on. Just too many things AAPX can do to list here.

If you do go the AAPX route, get your company to pay for it. It could be a tax write off for business or operating expense. Before you buy, and do this... gander over to the Adobe forums to see when the next 'Version' (note i did not say update) release is estimated to come out and if that Version release is expected after the 'free upgrade' period of your purchase. Make sure you invest the 20-25% additional cost estimate for Upgrade Protection to ensure you get a real free upgrade. Could save hundreds and you will look smart to the company because you care about the company's future. (Btw - Nope, I don't need another shovel). Always include the cost of the media disk when you purchase any software. Screw the media download option, it's just bad juju there.

Note also that Adobe allows that certain products can be freely installed on one 'home computer' if the product is used at that person's place of business. Hint -Hint - thats why you get the company to pay for it. There is limited language for what you use it for when it is installed on home computer.

 

[technomann]

The reason why a paragraph can not be selected in a PDF is that it is a scanned page containing bitmapped image and not text.

If the paragraph is a small one, you can type it again in Microsoft Word or any text editor.

That's exactly what I discovered. I dragged the pdf into my OCR program (ReadIRIS) and then saved it to a Word doc file and voila! I can now manipulate the text!

Thanks to all who responded!

 

[boohbah]

there is another solution to this problem ,
if you have microsoft office with the OneNote app then you can take a screenshot of the pdf and paste it into a new page in OneNote ,then right click it and select " copy text from picture"

then paste it into word ,OneNote or notepad etc.

 

[technomann]

The reason why a paragraph can not be selected in a PDF is that it is a scanned page containing bitmapped image and not text.

That's exactly what the problem was. I dragged the .pdf file to my OCR program and opened it there, then saved it as a Word document and voila! I can now manipulate the text.

Thanks to all who responded!

 

[blueindividual]

Hi there


If it IS a scanned document then OK there are problems since as the previous guy says its bitmapped and you'll need some sort of OCR type program -- however if it's a REGULAR PDF file then this should work fine

1) Just select the text in the PDF file when opening the PDF reader (I'm using Adobe Reader version X and use COPY from the menu bar).

To select the text just position the mouse against the text you want to copy and hold the CTRL button and move the mouse down through the lines of text).

2) Then Paste to a Notepad file (use wordwrap)

3) Now you can copy the text into a Word document or whatever.

Diagram enc.


Cheers
jimbo.

hey, can you please explain step by step a little better how do you do this? i have a problem with copy from pdf and i have found this post and i successful copied some text once but i cant repeat that again. i tried many ways but i just cant make it, like it is broken now and i cant do that again ( but with this post once i did it so it is a good solution) ...

 

[srm057]

A work around

I personally had this problem. I found a fix for this. Email the document to yourself in gmail. View the message and view the attachment. While viewing the pdf, select the text and paste it to notepad. It will be fine.

 

[mercurybc]

i don't know why do we need pdf to text converter , mostly the browser is responsible for some problems in copying from pdf ...i couldn't properly copy and paste a pdf file as text by firefox , then i went to my google chrome , everything was fine ...just highlight pdf or select all the pdf and copy and then paste it to word pad or whatever...i have a hunch if i uninstall my firefox and reinstall it , firefox will be fine too ....just to tell you about my experience

 

[minego]

Mark text you want to copy
right click, choose copy
Paste it in google search.

done.