Optical character recognition (OCR) is the process of converting digital images of text into machine-readable text.
This technology has a variety of applications, from scanned document management to automatic document classification and retrieval.
There are several OCR-based tools available online that we can use to extract text from scanned documents and images, we will test a few OCR online tools here.
In this blog post, we will give a brief overview of Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and its uses.
So, keep on reading!
What is Optical Character Recognition (OCR)?
Optical character recognition (OCR) is a technology that enables you to convert digital images of text into machine-readable text.
OCR uses optical character recognition algorithms to recognize text in images and convert it into digital text that can be edited, searched, and stored on your computer.
How does OCR work and what are its benefits?
OCR works by scanning an image of text and identifying the individual characters within that image. It then converts those images into digital text that can be edited, searched, and stored on your computer.
The benefits of using OCR include:
Increased efficiency
OCR can automate the process of converting scanned documents into digital text, which can save you a lot of time and effort.
Improved accuracy
OCR can help you avoid errors that can occur when manually transcribing text from images.
Saves time
OCR can save you time by automatically converting scanned documents into digital text that can be edited and searched.
Organizing documents are easy
OCR can help you organize and manage your documents more effectively by automatically classifying and categorizing them. For example use OCR invoice scanning.
Makes searching easy within documents
OCR can make it easier to find the information you need by allowing you to search for specific keywords within your document collection.
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What are the uses of Optical Character Recognition (OCR)?
There are many different uses for OCR technology. Common applications include:
Digitizing printed documents
OCR can be used to convert scanned images of paper documents into digital text files that can be edited, searched, and stored on your computer. This is a quick and easy way to digitize large volumes of paper documents.
Automating document classification and retrieval
OCR can be used to automatically classify and categorize documents based on their content. This can be helpful for organizing and managing large document collections.
Extracting text from images
OCR can be used to extract text from images, such as scanned PDF files or images of text from books or magazines. This text can then be edited, searched, and stored on your computer.
Creating accessible documents
OCR can be used to create digital text versions of printed documents that are accessible to people with visual impairments.
What industries make use of OCR technology and what are some common applications?
OCR technology is used in a variety of industries, including:
Business
OCR can be used to automatically convert scanned invoices, receipts, and business cards into digital data that can be stored and searched.
Education
OCR can be used to digitize textbook content, lecture notes, and other educational materials.
OCR technology can also extract handwritten text from an image which is extremely helpful for students as students share notes and assignments with their friends.
Healthcare
OCR technology has been widely used in healthcare departments. OCR can be used to extract data from scanned patient records, insurance claims, and medical images.
Government
OCR can be used to convert scanned government documents, such as tax forms and census data, into digital data. For example, VAT-registered businesses in the UK are required to make taxes digital to meet the HMRC requirements.
Are there any potential drawbacks to using OCR technology?
While OCR technology has many benefits, there are also some potential challenges associated with its use, including:
- OCR can sometimes make mistakes when converting text, especially if the text is low quality or hard to read.
- OCR requires a computer with enough processing power to handle the image recognition algorithms.
- Some file formats, such as PDFs, cannot be easily edited after they have been converted to digital text.
Despite these challenges, OCR technology provides a powerful tool for converting images of text into machine-readable data.
If you have a need to convert scanned documents or images into digital text, OCR can be a helpful solution.
Now that we have discussed Optical Character Recognition (OCR) in detail with a complete overview it’s time to test an OCR Online tool to see if it really extracts text from an image.
Testing OCR Tool
Here we tested an OCR tool by adding a screenshot to the tool and hitting the ‘Get Text’ button and you all can trust within 3 seconds the tool generated the absolutely correct output.
That means OCR technology is really helpful!
You must be wondering how to use an OCR tool online, do you?
Well, it is simple!
All you have to do is follow a few steps, they are:
- Go to your browser and search for ‘OCR Online’ and from the SERPs click on the top result.
- Once you are directed to the tool you will see a button that says ‘Select Image.’
- You have to click on the ‘Select Image’ button and select an image from your device or you can drag and drop the image from which you want to extract text, as shown in the image below:
- Hit the ‘Get Text’ button and wait for a few seconds until you have your desired results.
How can you get started with OCR if you’re interested in implementing it into your business or workflow?
If you’re interested in using OCR technology, there are a few things you can do to get started:
- Research different OCR software solutions to find one that meets your needs.
- Experiment with using OCR to convert images of text into digital data.
- Make sure to test the accuracy of the OCR software to ensure it is meeting your expectations.
- Implement OCR into your business or workflow in a way that makes sense for you.
Bottom Line
In this article, we have discussed a complete overview of Optical Character Recognition (OCR). If you do not have enough knowledge about OCR then this article can be your complete guide about OCR.
As we have discussed in detail what OCR is, how it works, and some of its promising applications and use cases.
We have also tested an OCR tool online to check its accuracy, you can have a look at the results in the above sections.
Go and read!
