Extract Text from PDF Free

Need the text from a PDF without the formatting? Extract it in seconds and copy to your clipboard — free, private, and works on any device.

🔒 Files never leave your device
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Drop PDF file here or click to browse

Select a PDF file (max 10 MB each)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I copy text from a PDF without Adobe Acrobat?

Yes. PDFShift extracts all text from your PDF directly in your browser. Upload the file, click Extract Text, and copy the result to your clipboard. No Adobe software needed.

What if my PDF contains scanned images instead of text?

This tool works on PDFs with actual text layers. If your PDF is a scanned image (no selectable text), you will need an OCR tool to recognize the text. PDFShift offers an OCR tool for scanned documents.

Is my file uploaded to a server?

No. Text extraction happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your PDF never leaves your device — it is never uploaded, stored, or seen by anyone.

Get notified about new PDF tools

AI-powered features coming soon — summarize, chat with, and extract data from PDFs.