Extract Tables from Scanned PDFs with OCR

Last updated: March 2026 • 5 min read

Scanned PDFs are just images — regular table extraction won't work. Here's how to use OCR to get your data out.

When You Need OCR

• PDF created from scanner or photo
• Text can't be selected in the PDF
• Legacy documents digitized from paper
• Faxes and receipts saved as PDF

How OCR Table Extraction Works

1. Image preprocessing: Deskew, denoise, enhance contrast
2. Text recognition: OCR engine identifies characters
3. Layout analysis: Detect table structure from positioning
4. Data extraction: Output to structured format

Tips for Better Results

• Use high-resolution scans (300 DPI minimum)
• Ensure good contrast between text and background
• Straighten skewed pages before processing
• Clean up stray marks or shadows