catScan

PDF to text

Get the text of a PDF in a .txt file, even from scans.

Processed on your device

  1. 1Choose the files
  2. 2Arrange and adjust
  3. 3Download

You need to sign in to use the tools. It's free.

8 free uses a month · Plus is unlimited

Get the plain text of a PDF to paste it into an email, a document or a translator. Pages that already have text are read directly; scanned pages are recognized with OCR on your device, in the language you choose.

How to convert a PDF to text in 3 steps

  1. Open the PDF.

  2. Choose the document language, used only if a page is scanned.

  3. Extract the text, copy it or download the .txt file.

Why use catScan

  • Private by design

    This tool works inside your browser: the file is processed on your device and is never uploaded or stored.

  • Free to start

    Sign in with Google and get 8 free uses per period, shared with the catScan app. 1 use = 1 downloaded file; if something fails, it doesn't count.

  • Nothing to install

    It works in any modern browser on computer, tablet or phone. To scan paper with your camera, use the Android app.

Frequently asked questions

Does it keep the formatting?

No. A .txt file only holds plain text: fonts, images and colors are dropped, and tables become lines of text. If you need an editable document with formatting, use PDF to Word.

How is the text split by page?

When the PDF has more than one page, each page starts with a short marker (--- Page 2 ---) so you can find where every part came from.

Are my files stored?

No. This tool processes the file on your device, inside the browser: it is not uploaded to any server and nothing is stored.

Is it free?

Yes. Sign in with your Google account and you get 8 uses per period on the free plan (1 use = 1 downloaded file; if something fails, it doesn't count). catScan Plus, bought in the Android app, is unlimited on the web and in the app.

Does it work on my phone?

Yes. It works in any modern browser on Android, iPhone, Windows, Mac or Linux, with nothing to install. The catScan Android app also lets you scan documents with the camera.