# PDF to Text for researchers

_Updated July 2026 · Arthize · https://arthize.com/for/researchers/pdf-to-text_

Arthize lets researchers and academics extract text from a PDF in a private workspace — free, with no watermark. Converting PDF to text extracts the raw words into a plain .txt file, OCRing scans first, so you can reuse the content anywhere.

## Why researchers extract text from a PDF

A researcher merges a paper with its appendices, extracts a results table into Excel for re-analysis, and compresses the figure-heavy submission under a journal's upload limit — privately.

**Built for papers.** Whether it's papers, datasets, appendices, Arthize's pdf to text keeps the work inside your private workspace. Unpublished work and grant applications are confidential; a private workspace keeps them out of public tools.

## What matters when you extract text from a PDF

Text extraction gives you the raw words without layout.

Scanned PDFs are OCR'd first so the text comes through.

It is the quickest way to reuse PDF content in another tool.

## How to extract text from a PDF

1. **Open the convert tool** — Sign in, open Convert and choose Text.
2. **Add your PDF** — Upload the PDF; scans are OCR'd first.
3. **Convert** — Arthize pulls the text into a plain .txt file.
4. **Download** — Get the extracted text ready to paste anywhere.

## FAQ

### How do researchers extract text from a PDF for free?

Converting PDF to text extracts the raw words into a plain .txt file, OCRing scans first, so you can reuse the content anywhere. On Arthize it's free with no watermark, and the file is deleted after the job — which is why researchers and academics can use it for papers without a confidentiality risk.

### Is it private to extract text from a PDF sensitive papers?

Yes. Unpublished work and grant applications are confidential; a private workspace keeps them out of public tools. Files are processed inside your private Arthize workspace and deleted after the job.

### How do I extract text from a PDF?

Converting PDF to text extracts the raw words into a plain .txt file, OCRing scans first, so you can reuse the content anywhere. On Arthize it's free with no watermark and processed privately.

### Can I get text out of a scanned PDF?

Converting PDF to text extracts the raw words into a plain .txt file, OCRing scans first, so you can reuse the content anywhere. On Arthize it's free with no watermark and processed privately.