How to Edit a Scanned PDF Document Free Online & Offline

PDFs that have been scanned for archiving physical documents create difficulties because they are image files, which cannot be edited apart from using specific tools.

• The need to learn how to edit a scanned PDF document that users perform direct modifications, because effectiveness depends on this process.
• OCR technology provides the solution to solve scanned PDF editing problems.
• A specialized PDF OCR editor operates through image analysis to detect text content which it then transforms into a text format for editing.
• Having many available OCR tools in the market creates confusion among users because of the abundant options.

That’s why we’ll review the 6 online PDF OCR editing solutions, which will optimize your document modifications during 2025!

Part 1: How to Edit a Scanned PDF Document Easily and Accurately?

If you want to know how to edit a scanned PDF document with high accuracy, Tenorshare PDNob offers 99% OCR accuracy. It can convert scanned PDFs into editable, searchable, retaining original formatting. The tool also offers comprehensive PDF editing and AI chat tools. Here’s how to convert scanned PDF to editable PDF with PDNob PDF Editor:

Step 1: Install and execute Tenorshare PDNob on your computer. Then, choose “OCR PDF” to upload your scanned PDF.

Step 2: Next, the tool will download the OCR package. After this, it will ask you to sign in. You can log in with your Google account.

Step 3: Head to “Edit” and start editing text, image, background, watermarks, etc.

Step 4: After you’ve edited the scanned PDF. Head to “File.” Then, hit “Save as” to save the modified document.

More Features:

Here are more features of Tenorshare PDNob PDF Editor:

l 30+ Formats Convert - Convert PDFs to and from Word, Excel, PPT, Text, Image, EPUB, PDF/A, and more while maintaining original layout and quality.

l 100+ Edits: Text - Edit text, images, watermarks, links, backgrounds, and more with precision. You can also compress, combine, protect, or customize PDFs.

l 200+ Annotations - Add stickers, highlights, underlines, shapes, and stamps.

l Image Adjustments - Insert, replace, or edit images with one click.

l Batch Processing - Process unlimited files, up to 1 million, regardless of size.

l Screen Recording - You can take screenshots of the entire process.

l Smarter AI - With GPT-4 driving AI capabilities, users can receive quick answers, summary findings, and PDF analysis from documents of any length.

l Multilingual Support - English and 16 other languages are among the multilingual support offered by the system.

l Responsive Customer Tech Support - Customer queries receive responsive technology-based assistance so users obtain reliable support when using all application features.

Part 2: How to Edit a Scanned PDF Document in Word?

Through OCR functionality, Word enables users to make scanned PDFs editable. This process recognizes images to generate text that users can modify. The conversion allows users to modify their file contents with Word tools including text editing and image manipulation. Users also have the capability of saving the file either as Word or PDF format. Here’s how to convert a scanned PDF to editable Word document with MS Word:

Step 1: Open Microsoft Word. Then, head to “File.” Next, tap “Open” and find your scanned PDF.

Step 2: Select the file and open it. A message will appear about converting the PDF. Hit “OK.”

Edit the document as needed and save it as PDF.

Pros:

• Easily edit scanned documents without extra software.
• Functions well with Microsoft Office tools.
• Converts scans into editable text for better accessibility.
• Saves money if you already have Word.

Cons:

• OCR may have errors, especially with poor scans or complex layouts.
• Formatting might need fixing after conversion.
• Not as advanced as specialized OCR software.
• Some features may not work in older Word versions.

Part 3: How to Edit a Scanned PDF in Adobe Acrobat?

Through its “Scan & OCR” tool, Adobe Acrobat enables users to detect text and modify OCR language and edit multiple pages without altering the original font distribution. Users can also select from Word, Excel, and plain text as export file formats.

Moreover, this tool produces increased scanned image quality for editing needs, and enables access through mobile platforms and cloud services such as Adobe Document Cloud, Google Drive, and Dropbox among others. Here’s how to edit a scanned PDF document in Adobe Reader:

Step 1: Open the scanned PDF in Adobe Acrobat. Then, head to “Tools.” Choose “Run OCR eTools.”

Step 2: Next, tap “Scan & OCR.” Choose “Recognize Text.”

Step 3: To edit text and images head to “Tools.” Then, choose “Edit PDF.”

Step 4: Head to “File.” Then, select “Save As” to export modified PDF.

Pros:

• Powerful tools for editing text, images, and formatting.
• Accurate OCR for converting scanned documents.
• Supports Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
• Easy cloud access and sharing.
• Security features like digital signatures and document protection.

Cons:

• Expensive compared to other PDF editors.
• Can be complex for beginners.
• May slow down with large files.
• Requires a subscription.

Part 4: How to Edit a Scanned PDF in Foxit Reader?

If you want to learn how to make changes to a scanned document, Foxit can convert scanned documents into editable text. You can use Foxit to transform scanned documents for editable text contents by accessing the Convert > OCR choice. Through this tool users can gain access to annotate PDFs by adding comments as well as highlight text and make document annotations.

In addition, the tool enables secure document collaboration features and digital signature generation along with form filling capabilities and text-to-speech accessibility. The application allows you to link it with service providers including Google Drive and OneDrive. Here’s how to edit a scanned PDF document in Foxit Reader:

Step 1: Open the scanned PDF in Foxit Reader. Head to “Convert.” Then, choose “Recognize Text.”

Step 2: Set “Page Range” and “Language.” Then, tap “Editable Text” as the output.

Step 3: Hit “OK” to start OCR. After OCR, head to “Edit.” Next, choose “Edit Object/Edit Text/Add Text” to make changes.

Pros:

• Easy-to-use interface.
• Loads documents quickly, even large files.
• Strong security for sensitive PDFs.

Cons:

• Some advanced features require the Pro version.
• No electronic signatures in the basic plan.

Part 5: How to Edit a Scanned PDF Document on Mac (MacBook Pro & iMac)?

Users can transform scanned images into editable text through OCR while editing PDFs and applying notes such as highlights and text boxes using UPDF. The application provides users with tools for page arrangement as well as page trimming or removal options together with features for converting PDFs into Word and Excel formats.

Furthermore, the program enables users to make PDF documents while setting up password protection and leverages AI technology for content summary functions, automated translation services and explanatory tasks. Here’s how to edit a scanned PDF document on MacBook Pro with UPDF:

Step 1: Download and install UPDF on your Mac. Then, open the scanned PDF in UPDF.

Step 2: Select “Recognize Text Using OCR” on the right panel. Next, pick “searchable PDF" from the “Document Type. “

Step 3: Then, set OCR options like layout, language, and resolution.

Step 4: Click “Perform OCR.” Next, edit text, images, and links as needed. Save the edited PDF to your Mac.

Pros:

• Easy-to-use interface.
• Includes tools for editing, annotating, and managing PDFs.
• Supports Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
• More affordable than Adobe Acrobat.
• AI features improve productivity.

Cons:

• Lacks some advanced features of premium PDF editors.
• May experience occasional slowdowns.
• New users might need time to learn all the features.

Part 6: How to Edit a Scanned PDF Document Free Online?

If you want to learn how to edit a scanned PDF document in Word online for free, then DocHub offers. It provides workable OCR technology for editing scanned PDFs without charging fees. And enables PDF users to edit their documents through text and image modification and annotation using commenting tools and highlighting ability.

Within its capabilities, the tool allows users to work with fillable forms while providing template functionalities along with electronic signing functions that track document changes. Here’s how to edit a scanned PDF document online with DocHub:

Step 1: Upload a scanned document by dragging it into DocHub. Then, edit it using the toolbar.

Step 2: Download/Export by clicking the icon in the top right. Next, choose a storage location.

Step 3: Click “Download” or “Export” to save the edited document.

Pros:

• Supports Google and Dropbox.
• Simple and easy to use.
• Highly rated by users.
• Offers a free plan for individuals.

Cons:

• No built-in template library.
• Lacks some security certifications like HIPAA.
• Limited integration options.
• Users report frequent gateway errors.

FAQs About How to Edit a Scanned PDF Document

1. How to edit a certificate that’s scanned?

You can edit a scanned certification through the OCR feature of Tenorshare PDNob PDF Editor. It allows you to convert scanned PDFs in various formats, offers an AI Summarizer and enables editing, compression, etc.

2. How to convert PDF scanned to Word editable?

You can convert a scanned PDF to a Word editable document with Microsoft Word.

It’s Good to Chat

Multiple resources exist to instruct users regarding how to edit a scanned PDF document. Microsoft Word functions as a user-friendly tool, although it lacks formatting features. On the other hand, Adobe Acrobat offers advanced OCR and editing, but is expensive.

While Foxit Reader balances security and usability, UPDF includes AI-powered features and DocHub is a free online option with Google integration but has security limitations. Among them, Tenorshare PDNob PDF Editor is the premium choice. It offers 99% OCR accuracy, supports 30+ file formats, AI chat and batch processing for a smooth editing experience.