If you wish to transfer information from an image to text, Optical Character Recognition tools are your best option. OCR applications (according to their English translation) allow extract text from an image and capture it on a Documents or Word sheet.

Thanks to advances in technology, it is possible take a photo of a manuscript or a fragment of text and then save it as a file. With the use of applications we can access the options to copy, paste and edit the data of these images, easily giving it a digital alternative. Below, the 7 best applications to convert image to text.

Microsoft Lens

With this App you will no longer have to worry about taking notes by hand or relying on blurry photos because will allow you to capture information from whiteboards, signs, menus or anything else that contains text.

The operation is simple, point the camera at a document to collect all the text, then you can save it in different file formats or in the cloud.

• Compatible with drawings, sketches, and of course, text.
• Get rid of annoying shadows and irregularities that make reading difficult.
• Do what you want with the information: share it or save it as a PDF or file.

Google Lens (from Google Photos)

Google Lens is Google's gem for scanning text, but it is not an app itself, it is actually a function that is integrated into Google Photos. You can get it, free of charge, from the Apple Store.

It can help you satisfy your thirst for knowledge as long as you provide photos of what you want to know. It allows us to scan and translate text; so if you come across an unknown word, the definition will appear shortly, saving a lot of time.

Likewise, it allows us to explore the environment including restaurants and bars with their hours and reviews, as well as animals and plants no matter how exotic they are, with a high accuracy rate.

Adobe Scan

Through this simple and effective application we can automatically digitize and generate a PDF that is saved in Adobe Cloud. Data is extracted from text in existing images or new captures that are converted into digital copies.

• Organize documents in this app however you want, so efficient that you can use it to facilitate projects.
• You will have the choice to choose the color of the pages, or if you wish, have a completely black and white document.
• When detects forms makes it possible to complete them, increasing productivity by up to 30% and saving costs particularly on your productivity.
• Es a free, trusted global standard for viewing, printing and signing, as well as create PDF comments.

iScanner – PDF Scanner

This application is #1 in text scanning and document management. allow digitize tasks and handwritten notes, receipts and contracts saving them in PDF, JPG, DOC and many others. Secure and ad-free, it is ideal for those who travel, students and educators; includes:

• The identification scanner and passport.
• Measure the length between objects and their area, as well as solving mathematical problems.
• Read any QR code that needs to be accessed.

Synchronize data in real time so that you can access it from all your devices with a high guarantee of image quality. Plus, it recognizes text in over 20 languages!

PDF scanner

Like all the previous ones, this tool allows scan files, documents, ID, passports, as well as convert photos to text.

It offers you options to make the texts clearer and fit your needs; For example:

• Add black and white filters, colors and warp images.
• Add digital signature to documents and even protect your privacy with the use of passwords.
• Choose size whatever you want as a letter, postcard...

You will be able to work on it intuitively as it is designed for beneficiaries of all levels of experience. Don't miss the opportunity to have it and download it totally free.

OCR Scanner – QuickScan

• Offers the highest precision for scanning documents and will allow you to convert images to text more quickly and efficiently.
• Lets Immediately identify phone numbers and even direct links to websites that you need to access.
• You can also Save photo content from your gallery or handwritten in multiple languages.
• Maximum ease of use. Suitable for all types of users.

CamScanner

We couldn't fail to mention CamScanner, one of the most powerful style tools that has the trust of millions of users. Although some of its functions are paid, it is one of the most popular due to its Quick conversion of images to common document types, it is easy to use and fast.

• Ideal for students and small business workers, allows you to scan any image and store the information as PDF, Word or JPG files.
• It has a scanning mode specifically designed for ID documents and QR codes with your device's camera.
• It provides the options for color correction and sharing the created files on social networks to later receive notifications for them.

For better access to all its features, subscribing is your best option. Depending on the subscription plan, can be billed weekly, monthly, quarterly or annually, management that you can carry out automatically according to your interests.

Online alternatives

In general, OCR applications are an excellent option for people who use this type of technology every day, having free and easy-to-use instruments at hand to guarantee better work. In addition to the apps, There are online alternatives without the need for facilities that you do not use frequently.

Some of the sites that you can use without paying and are easy to use are OnlineOCR.NET y newocr.com, both with the possibility of changing the language. If you are registered with Google, your best option will be Google Drive, you will ensure optimal content extraction without the risk of losing information.

And that's all, we hope that the next time you need to use data from a photo, you know what to do. Leave us a comment if we have been helpful to you