PDFs can be divided into native PDFs and scanned PDFs. If your PDF is generated by Word, Illustrator, and other computer programs, you can view and read PDF documents freely. However, scanned PDFs are more likely to be images. There is no digital formatting in scanned PDF files. Therefore, if you want to convert all PDF files to text, the OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology is required. To recognize and convert PDF to text Word files, you can do as the following paragraphs show.
- Part 1: PDF to Text Batch Converter
- Part 2: Top 4 PDF to Text Online Converter
- Part 3: FAQs of PDF to Excel
Part 1: PDF to Text Batch Converter
If you want to convert PDF pages to text over 500 pages or even more, you can use Apeaksoft PDF Converter Ultimate to get the fastest result. The batch conversion support makes it possible to convert multiple large PDF files to text and other formats at the same time. Or you can convert the selected PDF pages to text instead of an entire PDF document.
The most important thing is that you can convert PDF to text with OCR. Almost all PDF file languages can be recognized. Therefore, you can convert image-based PDF files to editable text accurately. You can keep the original layout during the PDF to text conversion. Or you can adjust the image resolution, text encoding, and other layout options.
Apeaksoft PDF Converter Ultimate
- Convert scanned PDFs, searchable PDFs, and native PDFs to text without losing formatting.
- Extract up to 190 languages, images, tables, graphs, and others into editable texts, which look like original PDF files.
- Batch convert multiple PDF files or the selected PDF pages instantly.
- Adjust PDF layouts with flexible output settings and a convenient preview window.
Step 2To extract PDF files and export to txt format, choose Text (*.txt) from the Output Format list. You can change the output folder based on your need. 
Step 3To convert scanned PDF to text correctly, click Preferences on the top. Switch to the OCR section. To turn PDF to text with the best quality, you can set the OCR mode as Accuracy. Then specify other advanced and general settings. Click OK to save changes. 
Step 4If you want to convert several PDF pages to text, you can set the page range in the right panel freely. The preview window can show you the current PDF Page. At last, click Start to finish the process with the best PDF to text converter and editor. 
Maybe you are interested in converting PDF to PPT.
Part 2: Top 4 PDF to Text Online Converter
If you rarely convert from PDF to text and other formats, you can also use an online PDF to text converter. There are many PDF to text free converters online in the market. You can compare and find your best PDF to text converter online here.
Top 1: PDF to Text
You can use PDF to Text converter to quickly extract text data from your PDF file on your phone or computer. There is no need to install anything on your device. Just visit the PDF converter to change PDF to text online for free.
- PROS
- Upload and convert PDF documents into text format automatically.
- Download all converted PDF to text files into a ZIP archive.
- CONS
- Convert up to 20 PDF files to text for free per day.
- Lack additional PDF managing tools.
Top 2: PDF2go
PDF2go is capable to convert PDF documents to text based on OCR. The intuitive interface is friendly to beginners. So if you are looking for a PDF to text OCR converter, PDF2go can be your good choice.
- PROS
- Extract text from PDF uploaded from local space, URL, Dropbox, or Google Drive.
- Download the PDF to Excel converted file via the QR code.
- CONS
- The PDF to text converting speed is slow in its free online PDF converter version.
- The built-in PDF filters are not available for batch editing.
Top 3: Smallpdf
Smallpdf is also an online PDF to text converter you can choose. It supports to make PDF to text conversions on all computers, including Windows, Mac, and Linux. Thus, you can convert PDF to text on Linux online via Samllpdf as well.
- PROS
- Convert a PDF file to a text file with high quality.
- Smallpdf offers a free PDF to text converter Chrome extension.
- CONS
- Batch PDF to text processing is only available for Smallpdf Pro users.
- The Smallpdf PDF to text OCR service is not free to use.
Top 4: Zamzar
Zamzar is a popular online file converter for both desktop and mobile users. Despite the common PDF converting tools, you can also get information on the PDF and TXT file extensions below.
- PROS
- Introduces the details of PDF and Text formats under the on-screen PDF free converter.
- Send an email to yourself or others with the attachment of the converted PDF to Excel file.
- CONS
- You can use Zamzar to convert PDF to text files for free up to 50MB.
- The overall Zamzar PDF online conversion speed is not fast.
Part 3: FAQs of PDF to Excel
How to highlight text in PDF?
Open Smallpdf PDF Editor on your browser. Upload your PDF document. Choose Freehand Highlighter or Text Highlighter under the Highlighter icon. Set the highlighter color and thickness. Now you can highlight any PDF section and text freely.
How to copy text from PDF?
Open your PDF file with Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. Choose Select All from the Edit drop-down list. Then select Copy from the Edit list. Open a new text blank file. Then paste the copied PDF file successfully.
What PDF to text converter apps to choose from?
If you want to convert PDF to text on iPhone and Android, you can use third-party PDF converter apps. Here you can choose PDF to Text Converter with OCR, Cometdocs PDF to Text, PDF Converter, and more.
Conclusion
These are the top 5 PDF to text converters for all users. You can choose any tool to convert PDF to text offline and online on your phone or computer. As for extracting text from PDF while keeping formatting, Apeaksoft PDF Converter Ultimate is your first choice. You can free download the program and have a try right now.
