Edit Scanned PDFs Online with AI OCR
The only browser-based PDF editor built for scanned documents. Upload handwritten PDFs, extract text with OCR, add signatures, or create new documents, all without software.
Professional PDF Workspace
Upload scanned PDFs with handwriting for OCR, or start a blank document to create from scratch.
Extract text from scanned handwritten documents
Add text, signatures, annotations, and more
No software download required, works instantly
A Complete Online Document Workspace
Beyond just OCR. Upload your documents to a secure environment where you can edit, search, and manage your files entirely in the cloud.
Live Text Editing
Modify extracted text directly in your browser. Correct typos, reformat paragraphs, and update data before exporting.
Privacy First
Your documents are encrypted and processed in a secure sandbox. We never store your sensitive data without permission.
Instant Export
Done editing? Download your cleaned-up document as a searchable PDF, Word doc, or Excel sheet instantly.
Who Edits Scanned PDFs Online?
From legal firms to healthcare, thousands edit scanned documents daily
Legal Professionals
Edit scanned contracts, sign legal documents digitally, redact sensitive information, and prepare case files. Perfect for lawyers handling scanned court documents.
Small Businesses
Fill out scanned forms, add company signatures to invoices, combine PDFs into reports, and annotate proposals without expensive Adobe subscriptions.
Students & Educators
Annotate scanned textbooks, combine class notes into study guides, fill out scholarship forms, and convert handwritten assignments to searchable PDFs.
Healthcare Providers
Edit patient intake forms, digitize handwritten medical records, add HIPAA-compliant signatures, and organize scanned medical charts.
PDF Editing: Desktop vs Online Tools
Why browser-based editing beats desktop software
| Tool | Access | Features | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adobe Acrobat Pro | Requires install & updates | Full, no handwriting OCR | $19.99/month |
| Basic Online Editors | Web-based | Limited OCR, no handwriting | Free-$10 |
| NoteOCR PDF Editor | Instant, browser-based | OCR + handwriting + full document Editor | Free-$8 |
Why Our Scanned PDF Editor Is Different
Purpose-built for editing scanned and handwritten PDFs
OCR for Scanned PDFs
Convert scanned documents and handwritten PDFs into searchable, editable text. Our AI recognizes handwriting, typed text, and table structures while preserving your original layout.
Full Editing Suite
Add text, draw signatures, insert images, highlight sections, and reorganize pages. All standard PDF editing tools in a professional web workspace—no desktop software required.
Browser-Based Security
Bank-grade encryption for uploads. Your PDFs are processed locally in your browser when possible, with server processing in isolated containers. Auto-deleted after 24 hours.
How Browser-Based PDF OCR Works
Traditional PDF editors only work with digital text. NoteOCR combines advanced OCR (Optical Character Recognition) with layout analysis to handle scanned documents, handwritten forms, and image-based PDFs—all in your browser. We detect text positioning, preserve formatting, and make your entire document searchable and editable without software installation.
What We Support
- Handwritten documents and forms
- Scanned contracts and legal files
- Image-based PDFs without text layer
- Digital signatures and annotations
- Multi-page PDF documents
Best Results Tips
- Scan at 300 DPI or higher
- Ensure good lighting and contrast
- Keep pages flat without wrinkles
- Use color/grayscale for handwriting
- Upload directly from scanner when possible
Related OCR Tools
Frequently Asked Questions About Editing Scanned PDFs
1. How do I edit a scanned PDF online?
Upload your scanned PDF to NoteOCR's browser-based editor. Click 'Run OCR' to convert the scanned images into editable text. You can then modify text, add signatures, insert annotations, and reorganize pages directly in your browser without downloading software.
2. Can I edit handwritten PDFs with OCR?
Yes. NoteOCR's AI is trained specifically on handwritten text. Upload your handwritten PDF, run OCR, and our engine will extract the text while preserving the original layout. You can then edit the extracted text, add digital content, or combine it with typed text.
3. What does 'browser-based' PDF editor mean?
Browser-based means you edit PDFs directly in your web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) without installing software like Adobe Acrobat. Simply visit NoteOCR, upload your PDF, and start editing immediately. Your files are processed securely in the cloud.
4. Is the scanned PDF editor free?
Yes. You can edit scanned PDFs for free with our basic plan. We offer free OCR, text editing, and signature tools. High-volume users (50+ pages/day) or those needing advanced features like batch processing can upgrade to a professional plan.
5. How do I add a signature to a scanned PDF?
Upload your scanned PDF, then click the 'Signature' tool in the editor. You can draw your signature with a mouse/stylus, upload an image of your signature, or type your name in a signature font. Place it anywhere on the document and save.
6. How accurate is OCR for handwritten PDFs?
Handwriting OCR accuracy averages 85-95% depending on writing quality. Clear, legible handwriting achieves 95%+ accuracy. Messy or cursive script may be 85-90%. We recommend reviewing OCR output before finalizing, especially for legal or medical documents.
7. Can I edit password-protected or secured scanned PDFs?
If you know the password, you can unlock and edit the PDF in our editor. However, PDFs with owner restrictions (editing disabled by creator) cannot be modified unless you have permission. Scanned PDFs typically don't have these restrictions since they're images.
8. Can I edit multi-page scanned PDFs?
Yes. Upload PDFs with any number of pages. Our editor displays all pages in a sidebar for easy navigation. You can run OCR on individual pages or the entire document at once, then edit any page. Reorganize, delete, or add pages as needed.
9. Can I edit scanned PDFs on my phone or tablet?
Yes. NoteOCR's browser-based editor works on mobile devices (iOS, Android). The interface adapts to smaller screens. However, for complex editing (extensive text changes, annotations), we recommend using a tablet or desktop for better precision.
10. Will my edited PDF be searchable after OCR?
Yes. After running OCR, your scanned PDF becomes searchable. The extracted text creates a hidden text layer under the original image, allowing you to search for words using Ctrl+F. This makes scanned documents fully searchable like digital PDFs.
11. Can I combine multiple scanned PDFs into one document?
Yes. Upload your first scanned PDF, then use the 'Add Pages' or 'Merge' tool to import additional PDFs. You can reorder pages, delete duplicates, and run OCR on the combined document. Perfect for creating complete reports from scanned sections.
12. Can I fill out scanned forms that aren't fillable?
Yes. Upload the scanned form PDF, then use the 'Add Text' tool to type directly onto the form fields. You can also add checkmarks, dates, and signatures. Since it's a scanned image, you're essentially overlaying digital content on top of the scan.
13. How can I get the best OCR results on scanned PDFs?
For best OCR accuracy: (1) Scan at 300 DPI or higher, (2) Use color or grayscale (not pure black & white) for handwriting, (3) Ensure good lighting and contrast, (4) Keep pages flat without shadows or wrinkles, (5) Avoid extremely low-resolution phone photos.
14. Is it safe to upload sensitive PDFs to a browser-based editor?
Yes. NoteOCR uses bank-grade SSL encryption for all uploads. PDFs are processed in isolated secure containers and automatically deleted from our servers after 24 hours. We never access, read, or share your documents. For maximum security, we offer local processing for certain file types.
15. Why use a browser editor instead of Adobe Acrobat?
Browser-based editors offer instant access (no download), work on any device, auto-update without manual patches, and often cost less ($0-8 vs $20/month for Acrobat). NoteOCR specifically handles handwritten PDFs better than Adobe's standard OCR, which struggles with cursive text.
16. Can I redact sensitive information from scanned PDFs?
Yes. Use the 'Redact' tool to permanently remove sensitive text or images from your scanned PDF. After running OCR, you can search for specific words (like social security numbers) and redact all instances at once. Redactions are permanent and cannot be undone.
17. Can I add annotations and comments to scanned PDFs?
Yes. Our editor includes annotation tools: sticky notes, text comments, highlights, arrows, and shapes. Add comments for reviewers, highlight important sections, or mark up documents for approval workflows. All annotations export with the PDF.
18. Can I convert a scanned PDF to Word after OCR?
Yes. After running OCR on your scanned PDF, click 'Export' and select 'Word (.docx)'. The extracted text is exported into an editable Word document. Layout is preserved when possible, though complex formatting may need manual adjustment.
19. Can I edit PDFs offline in the browser?
Not fully. Our editor requires an internet connection for OCR processing, which happens on secure servers. However, once OCR is complete, basic editing (text changes, annotations) can work briefly offline. For true offline PDF editing, consider desktop software.
20. Do I really need zero software for PDF editing?
Correct. You only need a modern web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge). No installations, no plugins, no Adobe Reader. Just visit NoteOCR, upload your PDF, and start editing immediately. Updates happen automatically on our end—you always have the latest version.
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