crestpdf

PDF to Text

Extract all the text from a PDF into a plain text file

Pull all the text out of a PDF into a plain .txt file you can open, search and paste anywhere.

  • Keeps lines and paragraphs in order
  • Done in seconds
  • Works on any device

How it works

How to convert a PDF to text

  1. 01

    Drop one or more PDFs into the upload area, or click to browse.

  2. 02

    Choose whether to mark where each page starts.

  3. 03

    Click Extract text.

  4. 04

    Download your .txt file, or a ZIP of several files.

01

Readable layout

Text is rebuilt line by line from its position on the page, with blank lines between paragraphs.

02

Page markers

Optionally add a line before each page so you can see where every page begins.

03

Ready in seconds

Drop in a PDF and download its text right away, with nothing to install.

Questions

Frequently asked

Why is my text file empty?

Scanned PDFs contain pictures of text rather than real text. Run them through PDF OCR first, then extract the text.

Will the formatting be kept?

A .txt file holds plain text only, so fonts, colors and images are left out. Lines and paragraphs are kept in reading order.

Can I convert several PDFs at once?

Yes. Each PDF becomes its own .txt file, and you can download them all together as a ZIP.

Can I convert a PDF to text on my phone?

Yes. CrestPDF works in any modern browser on Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad and Android, with nothing to install.

Is PDF to Text free?

Yes. It is free to use, with no sign-up and no watermarks added to your files.

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