How Can I Extract Text from a Screenshot on Windows? (Step-By-Step Guide)

Never before has information been so easily captured in today’s ‘instant’ digital world as it has with screenshots, and with it comes convenience. It could be a crucial snippet of a webpage, part of a document, or any visual content, as screenshots are a must-have resource for professionals, students, and everyday users. So, what do you do when you want to extract the text from those images? Entering the information manually is a tedious and mistake-prone process.

Luckily, there is a way out; there are ways to extract text from screenshots on Windows, and, as you probably have already guessed, Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology is the way to go. Today, I’ll cover how to extract text from screenshots in Windows and why the Metalogic OCR is the best tool for Windows users.

What Is Optical Character Recognition (OCR)?

Optical Character Recognition (OCR) is an everchanging technology that sophisticated software can use to identify and extract text from many image formats like screenshots, scanned documents, photographs, and PDFs. OCR process allows us to convert the static images of text (images containing texts) to editable searchable content. When you are working with screenshots or images with text that you don’t want to type manually, this is greatly beneficial because you can save time by not ‘having’ to type those manually.

There are plenty of options for Windows users, from integrated tools to third-party solutions that help extract text from your images. But it’s important to know that not all OCR tools are created equal. Some can be tricky to navigate, have restricted features, or require an internet connection. The Metalogic OCR tool truly stands out here.

Ways to Extract Text from Screenshots on Windows:

Before discussing the advantages of the Metalogic OCR tool, let’s examine some standard methods for extracting text from screenshots on Windows.

Microsoft OneNote (Built-in OCR)

It’s built into Microsoft OneNote, which comes by default with Windows 10 and 11 and has a powerful built-in OCR function. That being the case, if you’re already using OneNote to take your notes, this feature is a handy way to grab text quickly. Here’s how you can use OneNote’s OCR:

1. Take a screenshot using the Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch on Windows.
2. Open OneNote and paste the screenshot into a note.
3. Right-click the image and select Copy Text from Picture.
4. The text will be copied to your clipboard, which you can paste into a document.

OneNote’s OCR offers some advantages, but it comes with its limitations. Accuracy may vary, mainly when dealing with intricate layouts or low-quality images. Moreover, it lacks advanced features such as batch processing or the ability to customize language settings.

Google Keep (Web-Based OCR)

Another option is to use Google Keep, a note-taking app with OCR image functionality. Steps to use Google Keep:

• Open Google Keep in your web browser.
• Create a new note and upload your screenshot.
• After the image uploads, click on the image and select Grab Image Text.
• The text will appear below the image in the note.

Google Keep excels at extracting text from simple screenshots, but it does necessitate an internet connection and uploads images to Google’s servers. This could raise privacy concerns, mainly when dealing with sensitive information.

Third-Party OCR Tools

Windows users can access various third-party OCR tools in paid and free options. Among the leading OCR software options are Adobe Acrobat, perfect for PDFs, Tesseract OCR, a robust open-source choice, and a range of convenient online OCR tools. Although these options can yield different levels of success, they frequently present challenges like a steep learning curve, limited formats, or inconsistent accuracy.

MetaLogic Screen OCR vs Google Keep vs Microsoft OneNote

Feature	MetaLogic Screen OCR	Google Keep	Microsoft OneNote
Primary Purpose	Optical Character Recognition (OCR)	Note-taking and task management	Note-taking and organizing
OCR Capabilities	Advanced OCR for extracting text from images/screens	Limited (handwriting recognition)	Good OCR for handwriting and printed text
Platform Availability	Windows	Web, Android, iOS	Windows, macOS, Web, Android, iOS
Export Options	Text export, Copy to Clipboard	Syncs with Google Docs, Simple Sharing	Rich export options (Word, PDF, Email)
Integration with Other Apps	Notable integrations for Windows apps	Tight integration with Google ecosystem	Integrates with Microsoft Office Suite
User Interface	Minimalistic and OCR-focused	Simple and intuitive	Feature-rich but complex
Cloud Sync	No	Yes (Google Drive)	Yes (OneDrive)
Pricing	Free Trial; One-time purchase	Free	Free with optional Office 365 subscription
Annotation Tools	Limited annotation features	Basic (e.g., colors, tags)	Advanced (handwriting, drawing, tags)
Offline Functionality	Fully functional offline	Limited (requires sync for updates)	Fully functional offline
Ease of Use	Easy to use for OCR tasks	Beginner-friendly	Medium learning curve for new users
Advanced Features	OCR for scanned PDFs, images, screenshots	Checklist, reminders	Notebooks, sections, and rich formatting
Languages Supported	Over 120 languages	Over 50 languages	Over 60 languages

Why Is the Metalogic OCR Tool the Best Choice?

If you’re a Windows user searching for a dependable, precise, and easy-to-use tool for extracting text from screenshots and images, look no further than the Metalogic OCR tool—it’s simply the top choice. Metalogic OCR stands out from typical built-in or web-based solutions by expertly managing a diverse range of image types while ensuring exceptional accuracy in its results. It provides a range of features that position it as the most user-friendly and effective tool available today.

Here’s why Metalogic OCR is a standout choice for text extraction on Windows.

User-Friendly Interface

Experience the effortless design of the Metalogic OCR tool, crafted for your convenience. The interface is sleek and intuitive, with an easy-to-use design allowing any skill-level person accessing the interface to quickly extract text from the image. The process itself is very simple and easy. You also effortlessly upload your shot, extract the text, and copy it for use in any document or application just in a matter of clicks.

Accurate Text Extraction

One of the primary hurdles with OCR technology is achieving precise text recognition, particularly when handling images of differing quality. The Metalogic OCR tool stands out by providing accurate results and effortlessly handling intricate layouts and difficult image quality. This solution recognizes various fonts, text sizes, and even multi-language content, offering unparalleled versatility for many applications.

Works Offline

The Metalogic OCR tool stands out from the competition by operating seamlessly without an internet connection. This ability offers a significant edge, especially when handling sensitive information or extracting text in areas with restricted connectivity. With offline functionality, you can work securely and efficiently, free from the constraints of cloud-based services.

Easy Use

The Metalogic OCR tool is the most user-friendly Windows app ever. Once you install the app, it loads every time you boot your system, and by using shortcuts “ctrl+shift+R,” your mouse changes, allowing you to capture anywhere on your screen to extract the text.

Batch Processing

Metalogic OCR provides powerful batch processing features for those looking to efficiently extract text from numerous screenshots or images simultaneously. This feature lets you load multiple images at once and extract text from them all in a single step, streamlining your workflow and conserving precious time and energy. Batch processing proves invaluable for professionals managing extensive data sets, including legal teams, researchers, and students.

Multilingual Support

The Metalogic OCR tool boasts an impressive capability: it supports multiple languages. Whether your screenshot features English, French, Spanish, or other languages, this tool expertly extracts text from images with various scripts. This is perfect for users worldwide or those operating in diverse language settings.

Copy Text Directly

Using Metalogic OCR, you don’t have to worry about saving the extracted text to a separate file. Once your text is recognized, you can copy it from the tool interface and paste it into any text editor, document, or application. This streamlines the process and removes any unnecessary steps.

Free Trial and Affordable Pricing

Metalogic Screen OCR app offers a free trial, which lets you enjoy and try the app before finalizing your purchase. Moreover, it offers very reasonable pricing regarding its features and is easy to use compared to other similar OCR apps.

Conclusion

When you have the right tools, extracting text from a screenshot on Windows is possible and easy in just a few seconds. The Metalogic OCR tool is currently the market’s most effective and intuitive option. Its competent OCR engine, simple interface, offline support, and state-of-the-art capabilities, including batch processing and multilingual support, catapult this solution to the number one spot for anyone requiring regular extracting text from images.

From managing screenshots of your go-to apps to extracting text from essential documents and even working offline with confidential information, Metalogic OCR is your ultimate solution. In just a few clicks, transform any screenshot into editable, usable text. Save time and effort while effortlessly enhancing your productivity.