PDF Ready can use OCR when a scanned PDF needs selectable or searchable text. OCR can affect processing time and file size, so review the prepared result before clean export.
In the app
In the Prepare screen, choose where you will upload the PDF and the size limit first. Just below the size selector, expand More options and turn on Add OCR if the document is a photo or scan and you need searchable text.
What this helps with
Use OCR when a scanned document is made of page images and the workflow asks for searchable or selectable text. The quality of the result depends on the scan, page clarity, language, contrast, and rotation.
Workflow
Start from a scan, photo set, or existing scanned PDF. Apply OCR when it matches the requirement, then continue with size targeting, PDF/A-2b when requested, or review before export.
Review
Check whether the text can be selected, whether page readability remains acceptable, and whether the final size still fits the destination limit. OCR can increase file size and processing time.
Requirement handling
PDF Ready prepares the PDF around checks it can apply, such as scanned-page handling, file size, readability, restrictions, and OCR when the destination asks for text searchability. If the portal returns an error that the app can help resolve, you can adjust the file and generate another clean copy.
Practical limit
Do not add OCR just to change a PDF that already works. Use it when a scan needs searchable or selectable text, then check that the text, readability, and file size still match what the destination asks for.
Related features
Use Scan or import to start from phone photos or a scanned PDF. Use Exact size targets after OCR because file size can change. More context: OCR for scanned PDFs and private PDF prep without upload.