How to convert a scanned image of a document to text

Hi

I downloaded a document, and found out that it's an image. When I open the document it says:
This document appears to be empty. It may be a scanned image that needs OCR or it may be a malformed document.
So how do I change it so I can read the text. I doubt it's an empty document, since it's recent. According to the date.

If you're using NVDA there's an add-on for OCR. The only drawback I know of is that there's no way to copy the text it reads out, and it's probably limited as to size of document.

You have to use object navigation to make sure the text of the document is focused.

I saw that addon. I read if you use higher verssions of NVDA that programme doesn't work properly. Perhaps I read wrong. I'll look into that.

I downloaded the addon. I ran OCR on the document it just said done but I couldn't read anything. Even though I tried to navigate inside the document. I can only think it's something to do with the document.

Hmm, could be. The add-on still works in higher versions of NVDA, but Windows 10 users have OCR functionality without it now.

I read that message wrong. For some reason, I thought you couldn't use that addon if you had windows 8. Anyway, it's a useful feature if it works, smiles.

Well, I hope it works for you. I could get it to work but with the previous limitation I mentioned, not being able to copy the text or get it to repeat, other than with the OCR command again.

Afraid it didn't work. I got no text. The document stayed the same. A pity.

Strange, but oh well. I guess it's time for borrowing sighted eyes somehow.

You must use the NVDA object nav to make it work.

I've tried to do that but nothing happends. The document stays the same. I have read the manual, and used insert and the numpad keys, as I said no change. Don't know if I'm missing something.

You first interract with the document, probably ins num 1 or ins num 7 key compbination and thn try and press the shortcut. BTW, you can always use Abbyy Fine Reader to convert the document to a format that can be read with a normal manner.

I did try to review the document through insert one. Then insert r to run OCR, it said OCR running then done. However I stil can't read the document. Btw isn't abbyy something you have to pay for?

Yes, it's paid.

One option that I sometimes use as a free alternative, is to take a screenshot of each page of a pdf if it is short enough, and then scan those with Seeing AI or Supersense.

Abbyy fine reader is your best option.

I finally got the scanned images sorted out. Thanks for replying to my post.

The OCR add-on is free.
-- (Enes):
Yes, it's paid.

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Yes I know. I mean about the addon. If that is what you are talking about. I do wonder is it possible to scan a book for example with a smartphone? How accessible and easy would it be to use?

Seeing AI is fairly accessible as to that, but reading is jerky and starts over a lot, if, like me, you have unsteady hands. And there's no way to capture the content in say a buffer or something so it could be reviewed with normal navigation.