What does PDF to TXT do?
PDF to TXT is a free online tool that can extract plain text from a PDF file. The TXT result from PDF to TXT is a separate copy to inspect before you use it elsewhere. One possible use is reading notes made from an authorized file.
PDF to TXT changes readable PDF text into a plain-text file. It suits a workflow where you need the wording rather than a visible replica: local search, proofreading or a simple import into another tool.
The engine reads the existing PDF text layer, so the quality of that layer matters. A PDF can display a paragraph perfectly yet extract characters in an unusual order if its internal layout is complex.
Plain text keeps wording without the page design. Tables can lose clear column boundaries.
A header may appear between paragraphs if it is stored that way in the PDF. Read a sample from the middle of the document.
A successful TXT file can still need manual cleanup before use. For text-layer quality checked on a legacy pdf, choose a copy whose source content suits that purpose. Keep a local source for another trial.
Save PDF wording as plain text online: steps
Before using PDF to TXT, decide what the new copy must contain and where it will be used. Use a source with selectable text and note any tables or multi-column sections that may need manual reconstruction. Review the upload area and all values required by the current PDF to TXT form.
Choose the source
Check reading order in a page with two columns. For PDF to TXT, choose one source from your device. Keep a source copy for another attempt.
Review the form values
The PDF to TXT form has no extra task settings. Check the source in the file area.
Run the file task
Use Process PDF to TXT after checking the source and form values. Wait for the job to finish. An error means this attempt failed.
Save and check the output
Check paragraph boundaries, repeated headers, symbols and text near page transitions. Store the output on your device. Name this copy separately from the original.
Plain text: uses for PDF to TXT
PDF to TXT can help with plain-text archives prepared for local search. It can also be used for wording imported into a proofreading workflow. The TXT result from PDF to TXT must suit the intended reading or editing step, so keep the source until that check is complete.
- Reading notes made from an authorized file.
- Plain-text archives prepared for local search.
- Wording imported into a proofreading workflow.
- Text-layer quality checked on a legacy PDF.
Formats and limits for PDF to TXT
The PDF to TXT form accepts PDF sources. Each PDF to TXT upload can be up to 300 MB, which equals 300 MiB. The allowed suffixes on the PDF to TXT page do not prove that a source has valid content inside it.
| Accepted formats | Maximum file size | Output |
|---|---|---|
| 300 MB per file (300 MiB upload limit) | TXT |
There is no OCR step in this converter. Pictures, charts and page styling do not become equivalent editable objects in the TXT output.
How this tool works
PDF to TXT uses Poppler to handle the source on the server. The PDF to TXT request uses your chosen input rather than any local editing project left on your device. Check the TXT contents produced by PDF to TXT before treating them as ready for another app or reader.
For PDF to TXT, your browser uploads the source to our file-processing server. This is a server task, not local editing.
Files are due for deletion within 1 hour. Cleanup runs during normal service operation. Keep a local download for future use.
PDF to TXT questions and answers
If PDF to TXT gives an unexpected result, start by checking the source type and the values used in the form. Check the TXT contents from PDF to TXT as well as the filename or displayed message. For another result type, compare PDF to TXT with the separate tools described in these answers.
What matters when using PDF to TXT?
Compare a quoted passage with the original PDF text. View that area at its intended display size. Note any differences that affect your purpose.
Why try Extract PDF Text?
Extract PDF Text offers another task beside PDF to TXT: extract all text content from a PDF. Extract PDF Text returns TXT. The stated TXT output from PDF to TXT is not a listed input type for Extract PDF Text.
Why try OCR PDF?
OCR PDF offers another task beside PDF to TXT: make a scanned PDF searchable using Tesseract OCR. OCR PDF returns PDF. The stated TXT output from PDF to TXT is not a listed input type for OCR PDF.
Why try Extract PDF Tables?
Extract PDF Tables offers another task beside PDF to TXT: extract layout-preserving text from PDF tables as TXT. Extract PDF Tables returns TXT. The stated TXT output from PDF to TXT is not a listed input type for Extract PDF Tables.
What if my TXT result does not open?
For a failed PDF to TXT result, first confirm that the download completed and that the viewer supports TXT. Try another local viewer for that format.
Record any error message for support. Keep private source material out of the report.
How do I report a problem with PDF to TXT?
Contact support with the PDF to TXT page name, source format and the error you saw. Mention any relevant form settings you chose. Do not send passwords or private attachments.