01
Open the scanned PDF
Open the file, then choose OCR in the sidebar or use the OCR quick action in the document inspector.
GrayCat PDF guide · macOS
Create a searchable copy of a scanned PDF on Mac
GrayCat PDF recognizes scanned pages locally and saves a separate PDF with a text layer for search, copying, export, or translation.
OCR runs on your Mac. The result is a separate file; the source PDF is not modified.
Inside the app
Create a searchable copy from the reading workspace
After opening a PDF, start from OCR in the sidebar or the OCR quick action in the document inspector.
GRAYCAT PDF
Create a searchable copy from the reading workspace
Steps
Recognize scanned pages and save a new PDF
02
Read the page-redraw notice
The app explains how the output copy will differ. Continue, then choose a name and save location for the new PDF.
03
Let local recognition finish
GrayCat PDF processes the document page by page and shows progress. Pages that already have a usable text layer do not receive a duplicate OCR layer.
04
Use the searchable copy
Open the new file for full-text search, copying, text export, or translation. The source PDF remains where it was.
What changes in the OCR output
The source file stays unchanged
OCR saves a separate PDF and does not overwrite or modify the original.
Each page is redrawn
Text becomes searchable in the new copy, but forms, links, and bookmarks from the source PDF are not retained. Keep the original when you need those interactive elements.
Password-protected source files
The OCR output does not keep the source file's password protection. Save it in a secure location and, if needed, protect the new file again with Tools → Set Password. The original password is unchanged.
Processing stays on the Mac
OCR does not send the PDF or recognized text to a GrayCat server. The app does not require a GrayCat account.
After recognition, follow the side-by-side translation guide to translate scanned content. For other questions, visit GrayCat PDF support.