4 Ways to Convert Image to Text in Google Docs
If you go through the list of menu options in Google Docs, you will not find any built-inOCR optionto extract text from a picture. Before you get disappointed, you should know that there are other workarounds toextract and copy text from a picturein Google Docs. One of them involves using Google Drive. Let’s check four ways to convert an image to text in Google Docs.
Table of Contents
1. Using Google Drive
In this method, you need to upload your image to Google Drive and then open it as a Google Docs document. Google Docs will automaticallyconvert the image to text.
Here are the steps in detail:
1.Open thedrive.google.comwebsite in a browser on your Windows or Mac and log in to your Google account.
2.Click on theNewbutton.
- SelectFile Upload. Then, select the image from which you want to copy the text. You can also drag and drop the image from your computer directly into Google Docs. The image will be uploaded to your Google Drive account.
4.Now, right-click on the image that you uploaded in Google Drive and selectOpen withfollowed byGoogle Docs.
5.Your image along with the extracted text will open in a Google Docs document. Copy the text and paste it into your actual Google Docs document. Or, if you want to work in this file only, then just delete the image from Google Docs and you are good to go.
Please keep the following points in mind while using this method:
Tip: Check out thebest tips and tricks to use Google Drive.
2. Using Add-On
The above method is one of the best ways to convert images to text in Google Docs. But if you want something where you may pull text from an image directly in your Google Docs document, then, you can use a third-party image-to-text add-on.
Follow these steps to install and use the add-on to copy text from an image in Google Docs:
1.Open theImg to Docs add-on pageand click on theInstallbutton.
2. A permission pop-up will show up. Click onContinue.
3.You will be asked to log in to your Google account or choose from a Google account if you are already signed in.
4.Another permission will show up asking you to give permission to the add-on to view and manage Google Docs document. Click onAllow.
5.A confirmation pop-up might show up suggesting that the add-on has been installed.
6.Now, open your Google Docs document and click onExtensions > Image to Text -Image OCR > Start.If you don’t see it, refresh your page.
7.The add-on will open in the right sidebar. Drag and drop the image in the box or click onClick to uploadand select the image.
8.The extracted text will show in the text box on the right side of your page. Click on theInsertbutton to insert it into your document. you’re able to even edit the text before inserting it.
Tip:Check out otheruseful Google Docs add-ons.
3. Using Google Keep
If the above two methods don’t help, you can use the free note-taking app from Google known asGoogle Keepto extract text from a picture. Once the text has been pulled from the image, you can add it to Google Docs document directly from Google Keep.
Follow these steps for the same:
1.Openkeep.google.comin a browser on your Mac or Windows computer and sign in to your Google account.
Click on theImageicon in the Take a Note bar at the top.
Select the image from which you want to extract and copy text.
4.Once the image shows in the Google Keep note, click on thethree-dot iconat the bottom of the note and selectGrab image text.
5.Google Keep will extract the text from the picture and show it in the same note. You can copy-paste the text to your Google Docs document. Or click on thethree-dot iconagain and selectCopy to Google Docs.
- The image along with its extracted text will be copied to a new document in Google Docs. You will see a confirmation pop-up at the bottom once that happens. Click onOpento view the document.
4. Using Free Image to Text Online Tools
If the above methods are unable to convert image to text, you can use free third-party image-to-text online tools. There are many tools for this purpose. We will show the steps using one such tool. You can use any other tool as well.
Note: Before you use any third-party online tool, be sure to read its terms of service as it will tell you how they use the data.
1.Openimagetotext.infoin a browser on your computer.
2.Drag or drop the image or click on theBrowsebutton and select your image.
3.The image preview will show up. Click on theSubmitbutton.
- Wait for a few seconds and let the tool do its job. Once done, you will see the extracted text. Click onCopy to Clipboardto get it in your computer’s clipboard from where you’re able to paste it in any document. Or click onDownload text fileto download it on your computer.
Tip: You can also useonlineocr.netorocr2edit.com/convert-to-txtto extract text from images online.
Manage Images
Hope you were able to convert the image to text in Google Docs using the above methods. Once you have the text, know how toput text on a picture in Google Docs. Also, if you are using multiple pictures in your document, learn how tokeep two images side by side in Docs.
Mehvish Mushtaqis a tech lover from Kashmir. With a degree in computer engineering, she’s always been happy to help anyone who finds technology challenging. She’s been writing about technology for over six years, and her favorite topics include how-to guides, explainers, tips and tricks for Android, iOS/iPadOS, Windows, social media, and web apps. you’re able to also find her work onMake Tech Easier,Guiding Tech, andNerds Chalk
