Have you ever wanted to copy text from PDF but you do not know how to do it because many times the latter are blocked with the usual preview programs? Let’s read this guide, we will see the programs to be used on Windows or macOS to make this procedure possible.
The programs listed below are completely free, so just download them from the official site and you can copy text from PDF with a few simple steps!
How to copy text from PDF to Windows
If you have the latest version of Windows 10 then you do not need to download any program, in fact Microsoft Edge allows you to open PDF files and copy their contents, to do this follow these steps:
- Open the folder where the PDF file is present;
- Right click on the file with the mouse;
- Select Open with> Microsoft Edge;
- Now select the text you want to copy;
- Press the right mouse button and click on “Copy“;
How to copy text from PDF to macOS
If you own a Mac the procedure is very simple, the operating system of the Cupertino colossus has the “Preview” program that automatically opens the PDF file:
- Double click on the PDF file to open;
- Once opened with “Preview“, select the text you are interested in copying;
- Right click on the selected text with the mouse and press “Copy“;
Programs compatible with both platforms
Foxit Reader
Foxit Reader is the first alternative that we recommend if you do not want to use Preview or Microsoft Edge, the program is available on both Windows and MacOS and you can download it for free for a trial period from the official site:
- Go to the Foxit Reader website;
- Click on “Free Trial Download” next to “Foxit PhantomPDF Standard“;
- Wait for the download to complete and then install the program;
- Once installed, go to the folder where the PDF file is present;
- Right click on the file with the mouse;
- Select Open with> Foxit Reader;
- Now select the text you want to copy;
- Press the right mouse button and click on “Copy“;
Acrobat Reader DC
Very useful and free resource made available by Adobe is Acrobat Reader, easy to use and high quality program:
- Go to the Acrobat Reader website ;
- Click on “Download” and follow the procedure indicated by the site (uncheck the unnecessary programs that Adobe recommends to download);
- Wait for the download to complete and then install the program;
- Once installed, go to the folder where the PDF file is present;
- Right click on the file with the mouse;
- Select Open with> Adobe Acrobat Reader DC;
- Now select the text you want to copy;
- Press the right mouse button and click on “Copy“;