Do you need to copy the text of an image? You may have photographed a document and need to copy the content into a new draft. Or maybe you want to extract a phone number or numeric code from an image that's been shared with you. In either case, you don't need to copy every word or digit manually. Enough with make a few clicks to copy the text of the image and paste it where needed.
In this post you will learn several ways to copy the text of an image or photograph, either from your mobile or computer. In most cases, smartphones come with pre-installed services to extract numbers and words from stored images or captured photos. On the other hand, you may need a program to do it from your computer. Let's get down to business.
How to copy the text of an image on mobile?
Extracting text from an image is one of the most useful functions that we can get on a mobile or a computer. If you know how to get the most out of this function, surely you will save a lot of time and effort. For example, you can quickly share a quote from a book, part of a document, or even the text of a screenshot.
Now, copying the text of an image is possible no matter what operating system your phone has. Both Android and iOS have the function of locating, selecting and copying the writing of a photo. On the other hand, it is also practical to know how to use OneNote from Microsoft in order to copy a text from the PC. Without further ado, let's see how to carry out the process easily.
Extract text from an image on Android with Google Photos
For the purpose of copy the text of a photo on an Android, you can use Google Photos, that App that comes pre-installed on the mobile. To do this, you can take a photo or choose an image or screenshot from your files. Once this is done, how do you extract the text? Follow these simple steps:
- Open the image with text in Google Photos.
- Locate and click on the "Copy text" option that appears at the bottom of the image.
- Touch the text on the image and select how much you want to copy.
- Copy and paste the text in the application you want and that's it.
In some cases, Google Photos doesn't immediately locate text that appears in an image. If that happens to you, just tap the Google Lens icon for a more specific search. Then, move the box to the text you want to copy, select, touch "Copy text" and you're done.
On the other hand, do not forget that you have the option to paste the text in the Google bar. In addition to doing a general search of the writing, you can also translate what it says into your language. This action is very useful when we are traveling and we want to translate something we do not understand.
Copy text from an image in iOS
Well, if you have an iPhone, you can also take and copy the text of a photo or screenshot without the need to download any third-party App. However, keep in mind that this feature is only available for iOS 15 and later or 15.1 in the case of iPadOS.
The first way to copy the text is simply by briefly touching the text that appears on the image. Immediately, you will get the points to select the text and the "Copy" option. After copying, you'll be able to paste the text into any notes app, chat app, or search bar you like.
The second way to extract text from a photo is to do it right when you take it. In this sense, you can use the “Live Text” function that the iPhone camera has built-in. To achieve this, follow these steps:
- Point the camera at a photo with text or written document.
- Press the “Live Text” button.
- Select the text you want.
- Press “Copy”.
- Paste the text in the app you want and that's it.
Of course, on the iPhone you can also translate the text you are focusing on. To turn on all languages supported by this feature, go to Settings, tap General, tap the language and region you want, turn on 'Live Text' and you're done. In this way you will be able to copy the text regardless of the language in which it is found.
How to extract text from an image in Windows
OneNote from Microsoft is one of the options you have to copy the text of an image on the computer. The best thing about this program is that it comes pre-installed in the Microsoft Office suite. This means that it will not be necessary to download a third-party program to extract the text from a photo.
Now, to copy text from an image into OneNote, do the following:
- Open OneNote on your computer.
- Click on “Insert” – “Image”.
- Now, click on “Copy text from image”.
- Ready. Now you have the text ready to paste it wherever you want.
How accurate is the function of copying text from an image?
Well then, is the function of copying the text of an image always accurate? On the one hand, keep in mind that the devices have this tool thanks to a text recognition software known as OCR (Optical Character Recognition) or Optical Character Recognition. And, it must be recognized that, on some occasions, it is not 100% effective.
Why? basically because the result depends on the quality and complexity of the image that is being read For example, if it is a list made by hand, the OCR may confuse a few words. Or, if it's a printed page, it may not copy the text in the same format as the original.
In conclusion, there is no doubt that the function of copying the text of an image has many more advantages than disadvantages. However, every time you use it, it is recommended that you take a look, review it well and make sure the text has been copied without errors.