Today’s fast-paced digital world is full with images. Images that carry information in the form of charts, infographics, or photos of documents.
While these visuals can convey data quickly, you can’t copy it directly. So, when you want to quote, share, edit, or analyze the data provided on images, you can’t do that. Ultimately, the only option is to extract the text first in order to work on it.
As generative AI development services continue to advance, the efficiency and accuracy of automated data extraction from images can be further optimized, enabling faster data analysis and management.
Fortunately, there are different ways to copy text from images instantly and effortlessly. Below, we have discussed two of the easiest ones. Read this detailed guide until the end to explore them and learn how to implement them!
Online OCR Tools
An online OCR tool is an image-to-text converter built around optical character recognition (OCR) technology for this purpose.
This technology enables the tool to detect the text on an image, recognize it, and extract it similarly without any errors. The only thing that may vary is the text format.
These tools use cloud-based functionality. These can be used on any device that has a web browser with the internet.
That said, the following are the steps to use an OCR tool:
Select a Reliable OCR Tool: Search the internet for a photo to text converter that is easy to use, provides accurate output, and has an intuitive interface. Always choose the one that best serves your needs.
We’ll use Imagetotext.io in the following demonstrations so you know exactly what steps to take. In our testing, we found it to be accurate and effective.
Submit the Desired Image: Copy and paste the image directly into the image input box. You can also follow other ways, such as drag and drop, provide a direct URL, or upload it
Start the Process: After submitting the image, click the Submit and Extract button to start the text extraction process. Wait for 1 to 2 seconds until the text is extracted.
Once the text is extracted, copy it or download it in TXT file format. To repeat the process, click the Start Over button.
Snipping Tool (Windows 11)
Microsoft’s operating system has a built-in Snipping Tool that takes screenshots of computer screens and saves them.
However, the new Snipping Tool version 11.2308.33.0, on Windows 11 takes things to the next level; it allows you to extract text from a screenshot that you can visualize later.
The following are the steps included in the process:Open the Image in the Snipping Tool: Right-click the image (with text), hover on the Open with, and select Snip & Sketch from the available options.
If the image isn’t saved on the computer, open the Snipping Tool via the Windows search bar and click New to take a screenshot of the text.
Alternatively, use the “Windows key + Shift + S keyboard” shortcut to capture a screenshot directly and then open it in the Snipping Tool’s main window. Start the Process: On opening the desired image in the tool, click on the Take Actions button, which is a rounded square icon with three lines inside. The text will be selected automatically.
Copy the Text from the Image: Click on the Copy all text (from the two options that pop up) to copy the highlighted text in the image into the clipboard.
You can even select a particular part of the text manually and copy it.
Once the text is copied to the clipboard, you can paste it anywhere, edit it, and make the necessary changes you want. Don’t forget to bring back the original formatting.
Google Lens
Google Lens is a vision-based computing tool based on image recognition technology. It helps users use images as search queries and find relevant visuals, images, and graphics.
But do you know it has OCR technologies as well? Yes, you heard right. Google Lens can detect and recognize text given on images and let users take useful actions; copying it is one of them.
Interestingly, you don’t have to install any app or use an online tool; instead, simply access the Google search app and use the available Google Lens feature.
Here are the steps to use Google Lens to copy text from images:
Access the Google Lens: Open the Google search app on the device having the image. In the search bar, look for the Google Lens icon and click on it.
Submit your Image: Drag and drop the desired image into the input box. Alternatively, you can click on upload a file or provide a direct image URL.
NOTE: When you submit an image via drag-and-drop or upload image methods, Google Lens processes it automatically; there is no need to click any button. However, if you provide a URL, you’ll need to click the Search button to start the process. Process and Copy the Text: Click on the Text > Copy/Copy text option to save the text into the clipboard. You can paste and edit the text.
Conclusion
Text can be copied from an image in many ways, such as online OCR tools, the Snipping Tool on Windows 11, and Google Lens.
Online OCR tools are the fastest to use. These use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology that immediately detects and extracts text from the image when you submit and click on the Convert button.
The Snipping Tool in Windows 11 lets users copy text directly from screenshots or images. When you open an image with the Snipping Tool, click Text Actions and copy the desired text.
Google Lens, available on mobile and desktop, uses image recognition technology to extract text. Simply open the image in the Google search app, use the Google Lens feature, and copy the text.
These methods are the quickest and easiest ones to extract text from images. They save time and effort for editing, sharing, or analyzing information.
