Extract selectable PDF text into a TXT file
Save PDF text as plain TXT, choosing between spacing that approximates the page layout and raw reading order.
- 1 free task a day, no account needed
- No watermarks
- Encrypted in transit
- Deleted automatically
PDF to Text online, free
Extract selectable text from a PDF into a plain TXT file for searching, analysis or editing. Choose approximate layout spacing or raw extraction order; scanned pages without a text layer need OCR first.
Good for: document search indexes, plain-text archives, quoting report passages.
- Plain text output
- Two reading modes
- Easy reuse
Plain text output
Work with words without PDF styling or page graphics.
Two reading modes
Keep approximate spacing or take text in its underlying extraction order.
Easy reuse
Open the TXT in a text editor, code tool or indexing pipeline.
Works on any device
PDF to Text runs in the browser on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS and Android. Nothing to install.
How to extract selectable PDF text into a TXT file
- 1
Upload a PDF with selectable text.
- 2
Choose layout spacing or raw text order.
- 3
Download the TXT file and check its reading order.
Limits and formats
- Input
- Output
- TXT
- Files per run
- One file
- Max file size
- 25 MB for guests; free account 50 MB, Premium 500 MB
- Kept for
- 1 hour, then deleted
- Account
- Not required
Frequently asked questions
Can it extract text from scanned images?
Not directly. Run OCR PDF first so the pages have a searchable text layer.
What is the difference between layout and raw?
Layout mode inserts spaces to approximate the page positions; raw mode follows the PDF's extracted text order, which may differ from visual reading order.
Will pictures or formatting appear in TXT?
No. Plain TXT contains characters, not images, font styling or page geometry.
What is the free file size limit?
Guests can upload files up to 25 MB each. A free account raises the limit to 50 MB per file, and Premium allows 500 MB per file with larger batches.
Are uploaded documents private?
Files are encrypted in transit and automatically deleted after a short time following processing.
Anything missing? Read how files are handled or write to support.
Related PDF tools
Tools people use before or after PDF to Text.
- Text to PDFNewCreate a clean PDF from a TXT file with configurable typography.
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- PDF to MarkdownNewGet editable Markdown from PDF text with inferred headings and lists.
- PDF to HTMLNewExport PDF pages as a standalone HTML file with optional inline images.
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