Open the scanned file and select All tools from the global bar.
Last updated on
Sep 23, 2025
Learn how to fix text recognition errors in scanned PDFs by reviewing and correcting unclear words using the built-in tools in Adobe Acrobat.
When you run OCR on a scanned PDF, Acrobat analyses the image and replaces text bitmaps with searchable text. If a match is uncertain, it marks the word as a suspect, visually showing the original image but placing searchable text behind it.
Select Scan & OCR from the All tools menu on the left.
Select Correct recognized text from the left pane.
In the pop-up box, select the Review recognized text checkbox.
Note
Acrobat displays the scanned image and the recognized text. Unclear words are highlighted with boxes in the document.
Select a highlighted box in the document. In the pop-up box, make any needed corrections in the Recognized as field.
Review the image and the suggested text. When it looks good, select Accept.
Acrobat automatically moves to the next word.
Review each text recognition issue and select Cancel to close the review dialog once done.
Note
If OCR hasn’t been applied and you try to select text or use Read Out Loud, Acrobat prompts you to run OCR. Select OK and then adjust the settings in the Recognize Text dialog box that opens.
