Copy and Paste PDF Content Into a New File

PDF files are a popular document format, because the content is "locked" so that all readers see the same thing. This is great for sharing documents, but can make selecting and copying content from a PDF difficult. Adobe's free Reader program is one of the best ways to select content from a PDF file. If the PDF was created by scanning a document, or it has been secured to prevent copying, you'll need to use a program that can recognize the words and convert them to editable text.

Steps

Using Adobe Reader

  1. Download and install the latest version of Adobe Reader. This is the free PDF reader developed by Adobe. The latest version is Adobe Reader DC (XI).
    • Before downloading the Adobe Reader installer, make sure to deselect the McAfee box, as this will install unwanted toolbars on your browser.
    • There are many PDF reader programs available, including your web browser, but most have very limited selection options. You'll get the best results using the free Adobe Reader.
  2. Open the PDF in Adobe Reader. When you install Adobe Reader, it makes itself the default application for PDFs, so it should open when you double-click a PDF file.
  3. Right-click on the open PDF and choose "Select tool." This will allow you to select content in the PDF.
  4. Try to select the content you want to copy. This is the trickiest part, because your ability to select text depends on how the PDF was created:
    • If the PDF was created by scanning a document, you will not be able to select any text. This is because the PDF file is encoded as an image instead of a text document. You can click and drag to create a selection box, but this will copy as an image instead of as text. Copy-and-Paste-PDF-Content-Into-a-New-File for tips on converting the file so that you can select the text.
    • If the PDF was created directly from a word processor, such as saved as a PDF in Word, you should be able to highlight text. Selecting large portions of text can be finicky, so try to make your copies in small chunks of text.
    • If you want to copy an image, you'll need to drag a selection box around the entire image.
  5. Copy your selected content. If you aren't able to copy your selection, the PDF is likely secured. Copy-and-Paste-PDF-Content-Into-a-New-File for details. There are a few ways you can copy something after you've highlighted it if your PDF is unprotected:
    • Press Ctrl/Command+C.
    • Right-click the selection and choose "Copy."
    • Select "Copy" from the Edit menu.
  6. Open the file you want to paste your copy to. You can paste the copied text or image into anything that you could normally paste these things into. This includes any document or image editing program.
  7. Paste the copied text or image. Choose where you want to paste the content and then paste it in one of the following ways:
    • Press Ctrl/⌘ Command+C.
    • Right-click where you want to paste and select "Paste."
    • Select "Paste" from the Edit menu.

Using Google Drive for Scanned or Secured PDFs

  1. Use this method if the PDF contains text encoded as an image. If the PDF was scanned, it was likely created as an image file as opposed to a text file. You'll need to use an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) program to convert the image into selectable text. Google Drive includes a free OCR service when uploading PDFs, and will work fine in most cases.[1]
    • Google Drive can convert secure PDF files so that you can copy from them. The process is the same.
    • The font of the PDF will have a big impact on Drive's ability to read characters. You'll have the most success with PDFs that use very clear, easy-to-read fonts.
  2. Log into Google Drive. You can use your Google account to access your free Drive storage. All Google accounts, including Gmail accounts, come with free Drive storage. You can login at drive.google.com.
  3. Drag the PDF file that you want to convert into the Drive window. This will automatically start uploading the PDF file.
    • Note: Drive will only be able to convert the first ten pages of a document.
  4. Right-click on the uploaded file and select "Open with" → "Google Docs." This will open a new tab, and Google Docs will begin processing the file.[2]
  5. Wait while Google Docs processes. This could take up to a minute to complete. The more text, the longer it will take.
  6. Check what text was converted. Google Drive's OCR software isn't perfect, and there may be some errors or parts of the text that couldn't be converted. You'll have the best luck with small, pure-text PDF files that use basic fonts. You may encounter a lot of white space between sections; keep scrolling to see everything that was converted.
    • If Google Drive wasn't able to convert the file properly, you may want to look into dedicated OCR software. FreeOCR is one of the more popular Windows OCR programs, and can be downloaded for free from paperfile.net.
  7. Highlight the content you want to copy. Use your cursor to select the text that you want to copy.
  8. Copy the selected text. Since you're working in Google Docs, the copying process should be fairly straightforward.
    • Press Ctrl/Command+C.
    • Right-click the selection and choose "Copy."
    • Click the "Edit menu and select "Copy."

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Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000124.htm
  2. ↑ https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/drive/JpYwdAEuOME
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