Copying and pasting from a PDF can be a lifesaver, but it can also be a headache. In this article, we'll show you the best ways to copy and paste from a PDF, even if it's protected or has limitations on copying. Read on to learn how to copy and paste from a PDF in any situation, so you can get your work done quickly and easily.
Why Can’t I Copy and Paste From a PDF? (Causes & Solutions)
#1 Password Protection
When PDFs are locked with passwords, it's to restrict access. If you've downloaded a password-protected PDF and don't have the password, check the download source or contact the author for access.
Solution: Unlock the PDF File
Step 1: Access PDFgear Online Unlocker
Go to the PDFgear online unlocker platform.
Click on the "Choose files" button to select the password-protected PDF file you want to unlock.
Step 2: Download the Unlocked PDF
Wait for a few moments while the unlocking process takes place.
Once the process is complete, you will be presented with the option to download the PDF file without a password.
#2 Restrictions on Accessibility
Even without a password, some PDFs restrict text copying. Authors may limit copying and editing permissions. To gain access, you'll need the author's permission or password.
Solution: Remove Restrictions
Step 1:Open the PDF document you wish to copy text from using UPDF.
In the right panel, locate and select the "Protect Using Password" tool.
Choose the "Remove Security" feature from the menu.
Enter the password used to restrict the editing of the PDF document.
Step 2: After providing the correct password, click "Remove."
UPDF will promptly eliminate all restrictions from the PDF document.
Now, navigate to "Edit PDF" to freely copy the desired text.
#3 Scanned Documents
Text copying isn't possible from scanned documents as they're image-based. Convert them to editable PDFs using OCR tools for text extraction.
Solution: OCR PDF File
Step 1: Choose the OCR Tool
Launch UPDF and import your PDF document using the "Open File" button.
On the right-side toolbar, select the "Recognize Text Using OCR" option. A mini window will appear, prompting you to configure OCR settings.
Step 2: Start Applying OCR
In the OCR settings, designate the document type as "Searchable PDF."
Select either "Text and Pictures Only" or "Text over the page image" as the layout option.
Specify additional settings, such as document language, image resolution, and page range, as needed.
Once you've configured the settings to your satisfaction, initiate the OCR process by clicking "Perform OCR."
Observe the OCR progress on the screen, and once it's completed, you can begin copying the text from your scanned PDF, now transformed into editable text.
How to Copy and Paste From a PDF (Other Easy Ways)
Convert PDF to an Editable Word
Copying text from a PDF can sometimes be challenging, but here's a simple alternative using PDFgear's online converter:
Step 1: Access PDFgear Online Converter
Visit PDFgear's online converter.
Drag and drop your PDF file into the upload box.
Step 2: Download and Open in Word
After uploading, click "Download" to obtain the Word file converted from your PDF.
Open the converted Word document in your preferred word processing application.
This is a good option if you need to edit the text in the PDF. However, it is important to note that converting a PDF to Word may change the formatting of the text.
Use a PDF Reader
Step 1: Open PDF in PDF Reader
Download and install a PDF Reader on your desktop if you don't already have one.
Launch the PDF Reader on your device.
Click on "Open files" to import the PDF document you want to work with.
Step 2: Copy the Text and Paste
After importing the PDF document into the PDF Reader, use your mouse to select the text you want to copy.
Once you've highlighted the desired text, right-click with your mouse.
From the context menu, select "Copy Text" or use the shortcut CTRL+C to copy the text to your clipboard.
Now, you can easily paste the copied text into any other document or application using the paste shortcut CTRL+V or the right-click context menu.
This is a good option if you need to copy and paste text from a PDF without editing it. There are many different PDF readers available, both free and paid. Some popular PDF readers include Adobe Acrobat Reader, WPS PDF, Foxit Reader, and Nitro PDF Reader.
Free Office Suite for Word, Excel, PowerPoint - WPS Office
Looking to seamlessly copy and paste from a PDF? Look no further than WPS Office, and here's why:
Searchable Text: WPS Office ensures your PDF text is easily searchable, simplifying your information retrieval.
Spell Check: Enjoy the convenience of built-in spell check, helping you maintain accuracy in your copied text.
Editing: WPS Office offers robust editing capabilities, enabling you to customize your content effortlessly.
Ease of Use: With its user-friendly interface, WPS Office makes the copy-and-paste process a breeze for everyone.
Best of all, it's free to download and use. Elevate your PDF text extraction experience with WPS Office today!
Download Website: https://www.wps.com/
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to convert secured PDF to unsecured?
In 2023, you can utilize Google Chrome or Adobe Acrobat as free methods to transform your secured PDFs into unsecured ones.
Why is a PDF document asking for Document Security password?
PDFs prompt for Document Security passwords to safeguard against unauthorized access, ensuring data protection.
Summary
In this comprehensive guide, we've dived deep into the ins and outs of copying and pasting from PDFs. We've provided solutions for a range of scenarios, whether you're dealing with password-protected files, encountering accessibility restrictions, or working with scanned documents.
And through it all, one standout solution shines: WPS Office. With features like searchable text and seamless editing, WPS Office makes handling PDFs a breeze. It's not just efficient, but also ensures accuracy in your document handling. So why wait? Elevate your PDF text extraction experience with WPS Office - it's free, intuitive, and just a download away!
