Can Google Docs Convert an Image to Text? A Complete Guide

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Can Google Docs Convert an Image to Text?

Google Docs is a versatile tool that offers many features to enhance your document creation process. One of the most useful features is its ability to convert images to text, which can save you time and effort when working with scanned documents or text-heavy images. In this guide, we will explore how you can use Google Docs to convert images to text and the various methods available.

How to Convert an Image to Text in Google Docs

There are several ways to convert an image to text in Google Docs. Here are the steps for each method:

Method 1: Using Google Drive OCR

Google Drive comes with a built-in Optical Character Recognition (OCR) tool that can convert images and PDFs to text. Follow these steps to convert an image to text using Google Drive OCR:

Open Google Drive and click on the '+ New' button.
Click on 'File upload' and select the image you want to convert.
Once the image is uploaded, right-click on it and select 'Open with' > 'Google Docs'.
A new Google Docs document will open with the converted text from the image.
You can now edit and format the text as needed.

Method 2: Using the Img to Docs Add-on

If you prefer to use an add-on, you can install the Img to Docs add-on for Google Docs. Here's how to convert an image to text using the Img to Docs add-on:

Open Google Docs on your computer and open the document where you want to insert the converted text.
Click on 'Extensions' > 'Add-ons' > 'Get add-ons'.
Type 'Img to Docs' in the search bar and press Enter.
Click on the 'Img to Docs - Image OCR' add-on and click on the 'Install' button.
Choose your Google account and click 'Allow' to grant the necessary permissions.
Close the add-on dialog window.
Click on 'Extensions' > 'Img to Docs - Image OCR' > 'Start'.
Click on the cloud button to upload the image you want to convert.
Double-click on the image after it is processed to insert the converted text into your document.
Format the text as needed.

Method 3: Using Google Keep

Google Keep is a note-taking app that also offers the ability to extract text from images. Here's how to convert an image to text using Google Keep:

Open Google Keep on your computer.
Click on the image icon to create a new note with an image.
Locate the folder where the image is stored and click on the image.
Click on the 'Open' button.
Below the image, click on the three vertical dots icon and select 'Grab image text' in the menu.
Click on the three vertical dots icon again and select 'Copy to Google Docs'.
Open Google Docs in your browser on your computer.
Place the cursor where you want to insert the converted text.
Paste the text into the document.
Format the text as needed.

What is Google Docs OCR?

Google Docs OCR stands for Optical Character Recognition. It is a technology that allows computers to recognize and extract text from images or scanned documents. Google Docs uses OCR to convert images to editable text, making it easier to work with documents that are not in a text format.

Can Google Docs Convert Text-Heavy Images to Text?

Yes, Google Docs can convert text-heavy images to text using its OCR technology. Whether it's a scanned document, a screenshot of a webpage, or a photo of a document, Google Docs can extract the text and make it editable and searchable.

How to Find Images and PDFs with Text in Google Drive

Google Drive has a search feature that allows you to find images and PDFs that contain specific text. Here's how to find images and PDFs with text in Google Drive:

Open Google Drive on your computer.
Click on the search bar at the top of the screen.
Type the text you want to search for.
Press Enter or click on the search icon.
Google Drive will display all the images and PDFs that contain the specified text.

Google Drive OCR for Business Use Cases

Google Drive OCR has various use cases for businesses. Here are a few examples:

Converting scanned documents to editable text for easier editing and collaboration.
Extracting text from business cards to automatically add contact information to a database.
Converting text-heavy images to searchable and editable text for data analysis.
Automating data extraction from invoices, receipts, and other documents.

How to Set Up Google Drive OCR with Nanonets

Nanonets is a platform that offers advanced OCR capabilities and data extraction tools. Here's how to set up Google Drive OCR with Nanonets:

Sign up for a Nanonets account and log in.
Connect your Google Drive account to Nanonets.
Upload the images or PDFs you want to convert to text.
Nanonets will process the files and extract the text.
You can then download the extracted text or export it to other applications, such as Google Sheets.

How to Export Extracted Data to Google Sheets

If you want to export the extracted text from images to Google Sheets, follow these steps:

Open Google Sheets on your computer.
Create a new or open an existing sheet.
Copy the extracted text from Google Docs.
Paste the text into the desired cells in Google Sheets.
Format the text and the sheet as needed.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Google Docs is a powerful tool that can convert images to editable text using its built-in OCR technology. Whether you need to convert a scanned document, extract text from a text-heavy image, or find images and PDFs with specific text, Google Docs has you covered. Additionally, platforms like Nanonets offer advanced OCR capabilities and data extraction tools for more complex use cases. With these tools, you can streamline your document creation process and make your content more accessible.

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