PDF to Text – Extract Text from PDF

Extract readable text from PDF files. No upload—runs in your browser.

100% client-side • No uploads • No tracking

What is PDF to Text Conversion?

PDF to Text conversion extracts readable text content from PDF documents. PDFs often contain text layers that can be extracted programmatically, making the content accessible for editing, searching, or further processing. This is essential for accessing content from PDF documents in text-based applications.

Our free online PDF to Text converter processes all PDFs locally in your browser—no data is sent to servers, ensuring complete privacy and security. Simply upload your PDF file, select page ranges if needed, choose formatting options, and get instant text extraction ready for use in your applications.

How to Use the PDF to Text Converter

1. Upload PDF File

Click the upload area or drag and drop your PDF file. The tool accepts standard PDF files with text content (not just scanned images). Files up to 50MB are supported, with a maximum of 500 pages.

2. Configure Options (Optional)

Specify page ranges to extract only specific pages (e.g., "1-5" for pages 1 to 5, "2,4,7" for specific pages, or "3-" for from page 3 to last). Choose formatting mode: preserve line breaks, paragraph mode, or plain text. Enable automatic header/footer removal if needed.

3. Extract Text

The tool automatically processes selected pages and extracts all text content. You'll see a progress indicator showing current page and total pages. You can cancel extraction at any time.

4. Get Extracted Text

The extracted text is displayed page-by-page with tabs for easy navigation. Copy individual pages or all text to your clipboard, or download as TXT or Markdown format for use in your applications.

Features

  • Extract text from PDF files up to 50MB
  • Page range selection (extract specific pages)
  • Multiple formatting modes (plain text, preserve breaks, paragraph mode)
  • Automatic header/footer removal
  • Scanned PDF detection with warnings
  • Page-by-page output with tabs
  • Export to TXT or Markdown format
  • Incremental rendering for large PDFs
  • Cancel extraction at any time
  • 100% browser-based processing
  • Password-protected PDF detection

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I extract text from a PDF?

Upload your PDF file using the file picker or drag and drop it onto the upload area. The tool will automatically extract all text from all pages in the PDF and display it for you to copy or download. You can also specify page ranges (e.g., '1-5' or '2,4,7') to extract only specific pages.

Can I extract text from specific pages?

Yes! Use the page range input to specify which pages to extract. Formats supported: '1-5' (pages 1 to 5), '2,4,7' (pages 2, 4, and 7), '3-' (from page 3 to last), or leave empty to extract all pages.

What types of PDFs can be processed?

The tool works with most standard PDF files that contain selectable text. PDFs with text layers (not just scanned images) work best. Scanned PDFs without OCR (text recognition) may not produce accurate results and will show a warning.

Is the PDF to Text converter free to use?

Yes! Our PDF to Text converter is 100% free with no registration required, no usage limits, and no hidden fees. You can extract text from as many PDFs as you need.

Are my PDF files stored or uploaded to a server?

No, all PDF processing happens locally in your browser. We don't store, save, or have access to any PDF files you upload. Your privacy is completely protected.

Can I extract text from password-protected PDFs?

Password-protected PDFs cannot be processed. You'll need to remove the password protection first using a PDF editor before extracting text. The tool will show a clear error message if a password-protected PDF is detected.

What formatting options are available?

You can choose between three formatting modes: Plain text (removes excessive whitespace), Preserve line breaks (keeps original line structure), and Paragraph mode (normalizes spacing while preserving paragraph breaks).

Can I export to different formats?

Yes! You can export extracted text as plain text (.txt) or Markdown (.md) format. Markdown format includes page headers for better organization.