PDF · Make PDF Searchable

Make a scanned PDF searchable (OCR) on Mac

Add an invisible OCR text layer to scanned PDFs so you can search, select and copy their text.

Runs on your MacFinder Quick Action

Three steps. That's it.

1
Drop your files
Drag files onto Make PDF Searchable, choose them with Choose Files, or right-click them in Finder.
2
Choose the options
There's nothing to set up. It just works.
3
Get the result
The result lands in a new dated folder in Downloads › OneMacTools. Your originals are never changed.

What Make PDF Searchable does

Scanned PDFs are just pictures of text. OneMacTools reads each page on your Mac and adds an invisible text layer aligned with the printed words, so Spotlight, Preview and other apps can search and copy it.

It's also a Finder Quick Action: right-click files and choose OMT: Make PDF Searchable.

Options

No options needed

Great for

Search years of scanned paperwork in Spotlight
Copy text from a scanned contract
Make scans accessible to screen readers

Questions about Make PDF Searchable

Does Make PDF Searchable upload my files?

No. Make PDF Searchable runs entirely on your Mac, so your files never leave it and it works offline.

Will Make PDF Searchable change my original files?

No. Results are saved as new files in a dated folder in Downloads › OneMacTools, and your originals are left exactly as they were unless you turn on an option that says otherwise.

What does Make PDF Searchable need?

Just a Mac with macOS 26 or later. There's nothing else to install.

Can I use Make PDF Searchable from Finder?

Yes. Right-click files in Finder and choose Quick Actions › “OMT: Make PDF Searchable”. It runs in the background and notifies you when it's done.