How to Convert JPG to Text: Step-by-Step Tutorial

Extracting text from images has become an incredibly useful skill. Whether you’re a student digitizing handwritten notes, a professional streamlining document management, or someone looking to save time, converting JPG files to text can be transformative.

Imagine no longer needing to manually type out pages of notes or documents. With the right tools and a bit of know-how, you can easily turn JPG images into editable text. This guide will help you make the most of this technology, enhancing your efficiency and productivity. Let’s explore how you can seamlessly integrate this capability into your workflow.

How to Convert JPG to Text?

1. Using Online jpgtotext.io

Converting JPG files to text using jpgtotext.io is a simple and straightforward process. This online tool is user-friendly and doesn’t require any downloads or installations, making it an excellent choice for quick and easy text extraction. 

Follow these steps to convert your JPG images to text using jpgtotext.io:

Step 1: Visit jpgtotext.io

Open your preferred web browser and go to jpgtotext.io. This will take you to the main page of the online converter.

Step 2: Upload Your JPG Image

Once you’re on the jpgtotext.io homepage, you’ll see an upload button prominently displayed. Click on the “Upload” button to select the JPG file you want to convert. You can either drag and drop your image into the designated area or click to browse your files.

Step 3: Start the Conversion Process

After uploading your JPG file, click on the “Convert” button. The tool will start processing your image using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology to extract the text from the image.

Step 4: Review and Edit the Extracted Text

Once the conversion is complete, jpgtotext.io will display the extracted text on the screen. Carefully review the text for any errors or inaccuracies. OCR technology is highly effective but may occasionally make mistakes, especially with unclear or complex images.

Step 5: Copy or Download the Text

After reviewing and making any necessary edits, you can copy the text directly from the website to paste it into your desired document. Alternatively, you can download the text file to your device by clicking the appropriate button.

Extracting text from JPG images has become easier with the development of various tools and software designed to make the process quick and accurate. Here are some popular tools that can help you convert JPG files to text:

2. Google Drive and Google Docs

Google Drive offers a straightforward way to convert images to text. Simply upload your JPG file to Google Drive, open it with Google Docs, and the built-in OCR (Optical Character Recognition) feature will automatically extract the text. This method is free and works well for basic text extraction tasks.

Using Google Drive and Google Docs to extract text from images is a simple and effective method. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

Step 1: Upload the JPG Image to Google Drive

1. Open Google Drive:

• Go to Google Drive and log in with your Google account.

1. Upload the Image:

• Click on the “New” button in the top left corner.
• Select “File upload” from the dropdown menu.
• Choose the JPG image file from your computer that you want to convert.

Step 2: Open the Image with Google Docs

1. Locate the Uploaded Image:

• Find the uploaded JPG image in your Google Drive.

1. Open with Google Docs:

• Right-click on the image file.
• Hover over “Open with” and select “Google Docs” from the submenu.

Step 3: Convert Image to Text

1. Wait for Google Docs to Open:

• Google Docs will open a new document with the image inserted at the top.

1. Extracted Text Appears:

• Below the image, you will see the extracted text. Google Docs uses its built-in OCR technology to recognize and convert the text from the image.

Step 4: Edit and Save the Extracted Text

1. Review the Text:

• Check the extracted text for accuracy. Google’s OCR is quite good, but it might need some manual corrections.

1. Edit as Needed:

• Make any necessary edits directly in the Google Docs document.

1. Save the Document:

• Once you’re satisfied with the text, you can save the document. Google Docs saves your changes automatically, but you can also download the document in various formats such as Microsoft Word (.docx), PDF, or plain text.

3. Adobe Acrobat Pro DC

Adobe Acrobat Pro DC is a powerful tool for handling PDFs and images. It has a robust OCR feature that can convert scanned documents and images into editable text. Although it’s a paid service, the accuracy and additional features, such as editing and exporting options, make it a popular choice for professionals.

Step 1: Open Adobe Acrobat Pro DC

1. Launch the Application:

• Open Adobe Acrobat Pro DC on your computer.

Step 2: Open the JPG Image

1. Open File:

• Click on “File” in the top menu.
• Select “Open” and choose the JPG image file from your computer.

Step 3: Enhance Scans (if needed)

1. Enhance for Better OCR:

• If your image quality is low, you can enhance it by going to “Scan & OCR” in the right panel and selecting “Enhance Scans.” This improves the image quality, making the OCR process more accurate.

Step 4: Perform OCR

1. Recognize Text:

• In the right panel, click on “Scan & OCR.”
• Click “Recognize Text” and select “In This File.”
• Choose your desired OCR settings, such as the language of the text, and click “OK.”

Step 5: Edit and Export the Text

1. Review and Edit:

• After OCR is complete, the text will be recognized and made editable. Review the text for any errors and make necessary corrections.

1. Export the Text:

• Click on “File” and select “Export To” to choose your desired format (Word, Excel, plain text, etc.).
• Save the file to your computer.

4. Microsoft OneNote

Microsoft OneNote is not just for note-taking; it also includes a handy OCR feature. You can insert your JPG image into a OneNote notebook, right-click the image, and select “Copy Text from Picture.” This tool is especially useful for students and professionals who already use OneNote for organizing their work.

Refer to the official Microsoft Support community article for detailed guidance on how to extract text from image in Onenote:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/copy-text-from-pictures-and-file-printouts-using-ocr-in-onenote

Step 1: Open Microsoft OneNote

1. Launch OneNote:

• Open Microsoft OneNote on your computer.

Step 2: Insert the JPG Image

1. Insert Image:

• Open a new or existing notebook.
• Click on “Insert” in the top menu and select “Pictures.”
• Choose the JPG image file from your computer to insert it into the notebook.

Step 3: Extract Text from the Image

1. Copy Text:

• Right-click on the inserted image.
• Select “Copy Text from Picture.” OneNote will use its OCR feature to recognize and copy the text from the image.

Step 4: Paste and Edit the Text

1. Paste Text:

• Click anywhere in the notebook and paste the copied text (Ctrl+V).

1. Edit Text:

• Review and edit the pasted text as needed.

5. ABBYY FineReader

ABBYY FineReader is a comprehensive OCR software that offers highly accurate text recognition and a wide range of features. It supports multiple languages and can handle various document types, making it a top choice for businesses and individuals who need reliable text extraction from images.

Step 1: Open ABBYY FineReader

1. Launch the Software (It’s a paid tool):

• Open ABBYY FineReader on your computer.

Step 2: Open the JPG Image

1. Open File:

• Click on “Open” and select the JPG image from your computer.

Step 3: Perform OCR

1. Recognize Text:

• Click on “Read” in the top menu to start the OCR process.
• Choose the language of the text and other OCR settings.

Step 4: Edit and Export the Text

1. Review and Edit:

• Review the recognized text in the OCR Editor. Make necessary corrections.

1. Export the Text:

• Click on “File” and select “Save As” to choose your desired format (Word, PDF, plain text, etc.).
• Save the file to your computer.

6. Mobile Apps

There are also several mobile apps that offer OCR capabilities, allowing you to convert images to text directly from your smartphone. Apps like Adobe Scan, Microsoft Lens, and Text Fairy are popular choices that provide quick and convenient text extraction on the go.

These tools vary in complexity and cost, so you can choose one that best fits your needs and technical comfort level. By leveraging these OCR tools, you can save time and improve your productivity, making the task of converting JPG files to text a breeze.

Conclusion

Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology greatly simplifies converting images into editable text, transforming document management. The process involves several steps: image acquisition, preprocessing, text recognition, post-processing, and output generation.

By understanding these steps, users can efficiently digitize handwritten notes or extract text from scanned documents. With ongoing advancements, OCR’s accuracy and capabilities are continuously improving. Whether using online tools like jpgtotext.io or dedicated software, OCR helps streamline workflows and boost productivity.