Scanned PDF or text PDF: choose the right next step
A PDF can contain actual text, page images or both. Being able to see words does not mean those words are extractable or usable with assistive technology.
Extract a page of text. If the result is empty, inspect the page visually: it may be scanned, blank or contain unsupported content. Empty extraction alone does not prove it is a scan.
For a scan, run OCR in a suitable editor, then check names, numbers, punctuation and reading order. OCR output can contain convincing errors.
A text layer is only the first step. Review headings, alternatives and structure separately. This tool does not perform OCR or certify the resulting PDF.
PDF to text