Text Scanner
Upload a photo of text and get it pulled out, organized by structure, and ready to copy.
What the Text Scanner does
Retyping a page of text from a photo is slow and error-prone, especially when handwriting is mixed in with printed lines. This tool reads a photo of a document, form, sign, or note and pulls out the text while keeping its structure: headers, lists, and tables stay recognizable instead of turning into one flat block. It tells printed text apart from handwriting, notes the language used, and flags text it can't read clearly (though a blurry word can still be misread, so check anything that matters). It's built for students, office work, and anyone digitizing paperwork from a phone camera instead of a proper scanner.
See a sample result
Input: A phone photo, taken from directly above, of a printed building notice taped to a lobby door, with a handwritten note in blue pen added under the last line (the image at the top of this page, a hand signing an out-of-focus document, is an illustration).
- Printed text clarity94%
- Handwritten text clarity71%
- Overall legibility88%
Document type: Printed notice with one handwritten addition. Language: English.
Printed text:
WATER SHUTOFF NOTICE
Dear Residents,
The water supply to all units will be shut off for scheduled pipe repairs:
- Date: Tuesday, May 12
- Time: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
- Affected: Buildings A and B
Please store water in advance and keep faucets closed during the work.
Questions? Contact the management office at (555) 014-2290.
Thank you, Building Management
Handwritten text (blue pen, below the signature line):
"Laundry room also closed until 2pm" (the last word is cramped; it could also read "2 pm" or "3pm").
Flagged: A strip of tape covers part of the phone number's area code. The digits shown are the most likely reading, so check them before you call.
How it works
- 1
Upload a photo of the text
A document, sign, whiteboard, or screenshot all work. Fill the frame with the text and keep the camera as steady and parallel to the page as you can.
- 2
The AI separates printed and handwritten text
It reads both kinds where present, noting which sections are typed and which are handwritten, since the two are extracted with different confidence.
- 3
Structure is preserved where possible
Headers, bullet lists, and table-like layouts are kept recognizable in the output rather than flattened into a single paragraph.
- 4
You get organized text back, with anything unclear flagged
The result lists the extracted text by section, notes the document type and language, and calls out blurry or obscured sections where it notices them.
Use cases
Digitizing paperwork
Photograph a signed form, a printed contract, or an old document and get the text out instead of retyping it by hand.
Pulling text from signs and menus while traveling
Snap a photo of a sign, menu, or notice in a language you're reading and extract the text to translate or search separately.
Turning handwritten notes into typed text
Photograph a page of handwritten meeting notes or a to-do list and get a typed version to paste into a document.
Copying text from a screenshot
Extract text from a screenshot when the original file isn't available to copy from directly.
Capturing a whiteboard or lecture slide
Students and meeting attendees can photograph a whiteboard or slide and get the written content back as text instead of copying it by hand in real time.
Tips for better results
- Hold the camera parallel to the page rather than at an angle, so the whole surface stays in focus.
- Make sure the entire area of text you care about is sharp, not just the part closest to the lens. A shallow-focus shot like the one at the top of this page leaves most of the page unreadable.
- Use even lighting and avoid glare, especially on glossy paper or laminated signs.
- Crop tightly around the text so the frame isn't dominated by background clutter.
- For a multi-page document, photograph each page separately rather than trying to fit several pages into one shot.
- Use the details box to mention the expected language if the document mixes scripts or uses an unusual font.
Frequently asked questions
Does it read handwriting as well as printed text?
It attempts both, but handwriting recognition is generally less reliable than printed text, especially with cursive or fast, messy writing.
Can it extract text from a table or form?
Yes, it tries to preserve table and list structure in the output rather than flattening everything into one block of text.
What languages does it support?
It attempts to read and identify whatever language is printed in the image, though accuracy is strongest for widely used languages and clear fonts.
Why did it flag part of my document as unreadable?
Blur, glare, low resolution, or text that falls outside the camera's focus all reduce legibility. The tool is asked to flag those sections, but it can still guess a blurry word with confidence, so check anything important against the original.
Can I scan a screenshot instead of a photo?
Yes, a clear screenshot works the same way as a photo, as long as the text isn't too small or heavily compressed.
Does it work on a whiteboard photo taken from across a room?
It can, but distance reduces legibility. Getting as close as possible while keeping the whole board in frame gives a more complete extraction.
Can it tell me if text in a document was altered or is fake?
No, it only reads and organizes the visible text; it doesn't verify authenticity or check whether a document has been edited.
Plans start at $9 a month. See pricing