Introduction
OCR is a scanning technology that converts printed, handwritten, and other
forms of unalterable text into a copyable and editable format. It can be used
for various purposes. For example, if you want to make changes to a
professional document that is in a PDF format, you can take assistance from
OCR to convert it into text form and make whatever changes.
OCR tools are online utilities that use this technology to convert various
unmodifiable documents into text form.
It is estimated that the
compound annual growth rate of the OCR industry from now until 2030 will be
16%.
How Can OCR Improve Your Workflow
In the modern world, where every business is making efforts to go completely
paperless, digitizing documents is more important than ever. This digitizing
process was previously done by manual transcription, which required a huge
number of resources and time.
However, OCR has provided a great alternative for that. Tools incorporated
with OCR technology have reduced the lengthy transcription process to a few
minutes. You can simply insert the image of a document in this tool and have
the results in the form of editable text.
In simpler words, OCR can help you automate the digitization process that
would otherwise require a managed workforce and tons of time.
Some other benefits of this technology are:
- Accurate data entry
- Amplified productivity level
- Enhanced document searchability
- Easier document editing
Best OCR Tools
After learning about the advantages of OCR tools, you might want to use one
for yourself. For that reason, we created a list of some of the best OCR tools
available on the internet.
1. Image to text
The Image to text is an online OCR-based multi-lingual text extraction tool.
It supports multiple formats of images, so it won’t be a problem even for
advanced businesses that use different file formats.
Similarly, this tool can always be useful for international businesses with
documents in different languages. Another excellent feature of this tool is
that it can also recognize characters in low-resolution images. This feature
can be useful for retrieving old data.
The results are shown in a short time, so the automation process becomes very
quick. A summary of all its features is given in the following list.
Features
- Detects mathematical characters
- Works on low-quality images
- Multiple format support
- Available in multiple languages
2. Nanonets
Nanonets is an OCR-based data entry automation tool. It is used by businesses
to automate a large number of tasks to save time, effort, and resources.
Its products are divided into three categories:
- Accounting
- ID Card Verification
- Automation
The products or tools from the first and third categories are used by
businesses. For example, the table extraction tool can extract data from a
document with tables or graphs. Not many OCR tools have this facility.
Similarly, you can use this tool to convert invoices, receipts, bills, etc.,
into an editable format and make changes to it.
Features
- Ease of use
- Responsive tools
- Free demo available
- Data entry and data extraction automation
3. Docsumo
Docsumo is an AI-powered document processing automation platform. This tool is
able to detect characters on unorganized documents such as receipts, bank
statements, invoices, etc., and convert them into better-structured formats.
This unique OCR feature can help you give order to your unorganized documents.
All the data, such as tables, numeric values, graphs, etc., can be
successfully detected. This organized format enhances the readability of these
confusing files.
This automation tool makes things much easier for businesses and streamlines
their workflow. As a result, the productivity levels of employees
substantially increase.
Features
- Reasonable pricing
- Can manage bulk documents
- Fast data inputting
- Impactful data extraction
4.
Text to Speech
The text to speech converter is a tool that can help brands and businesses
deal with their visually impaired customers. The alternative to using this
tool is to hire an employee on a reasonable salary. This alternate is not
feasible in most cases.
This is because hiring an actual person for this purpose can be a waste of
resources and time. On the other hand, the OCR text to voice converter can
perform the same function for free and as quickly as possible.
If you are wondering when such a tool can be of use, here is a supposed
situation,
-
A user visits your website and wants to buy your product. But he can’t
understand what’s written inside your product image. You can provide a link
to the text to speech tool to that user.
Similarly, there can also be other situations where this tool might prove
useful.
Features
- Available for free to use
- Multiple languages supported
- Simple interface
5. Adobe Acrobat
Adobe is a renowned brand that has multiple tools and software. Adobe Acrobat
is one of them. This tool has lived up to the standards of the Adobe name. It
is the most accurate OCR tool that extracts text from images without mistakes.
If you want to digitize your documents into a searchable format and make them
more accessible, then Adobe Acrobat is the best option for you.
This can be useful in cases where you have to find an old document urgently,
but because it is a physical document, you spend minutes or even hours finding
it. On the contrary, digitized documents can be searched for in just a few
seconds.
Features
- Helps users to sign e-documents
- Increased document accessibility
- PDF editing options
- Clean and understandable interface
Final Verdict
OCR tools are of different natures and can perform multiple functions. These
functions can make your business workflow smoother and more efficient. You can
focus on more important things and not worry about things like data entry and
digitization. This is why you should always consider using these tools to save
assets, time, and cost.
