Knowing how to spell-check a PDF is rather important for keeping your documents polished and professional. PDFs are used everywhere, from business proposals and reports to academic submissions and resumes, and even small errors can make a bad impression.
The challenge is that once a file is exported, spotting and fixing typos becomes much harder. This guide will walk you through practical ways to spell-check a PDF, including how to handle editable vs. scanned files, free tools you can use, and tips to make quick fixes without starting from scratch.
How to Spell-Check a PDF
When learning how to spell-check a PDF, you will need to understand that, unlike Word or Google Docs, PDFs don't have built-in spell-checkers. The PDF format is generally considered a final format for consistent viewing and printing, not for editing or writing.
So, there are only workarounds to check the spelling in a PDF, and it might be a bit more difficult with scanned PDFs, since they are image-based.
Nevertheless, you can convert the file to DOCX, use OCR if it is a scanned file, or do it manually and fix any typos in a professional PDF editor like PDF.net. Let’s delve further into each of these methods below.
#1. Convert PDF to DOCX
Proofreading is much easier in Word or Google Docs. All you need to do is convert your PDF to a DOCX file, and then use the built-in spell-checker to catch any errors. You can use PDF.net’s tool, which works effortlessly online, for this, and here is how to do so in four steps:
1. Open PDF.net.
2. Hover over Convert from the toolbar at the top of the page and select PDF to Word.
Your PDF file will open in a browser with a full suite of tools.
3. Select Convert in the toolbar at the top of the page.
A window like this will appear:
- Click Convert to DOCX.
Once you have the DOCX file, open it on your device via Word or upload it to Google Drive and open it in Google Docs. Fix any typos in your converted file, then save it as a PDF again.
This way, you can ensure that your formatting remains consistent, even if you send it over email or post it on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
If your Word’s spell-check function doesn’t work automatically, follow these steps:
1. Select Word > Preferences; a window will pop up, and then you select Spelling & Grammar.
2. Tick Check spelling as you type.
In Google Docs, you can turn on the spell-checker by following these steps:
3. Click Tools > Spelling and grammar.
4. Tick Show spelling suggestions and Show grammar suggestions.
#2. Use OCR for Scanned PDFs
OCR, short for Optical Character Recognition, is a technology that converts images of text into actual, editable text. It is commonly used to extract text in files where the content is not selectable or searchable.
That said, if you want to spell-check scanned PDFs, you will need to run OCR first. After extracting the text, you can spell-check your file manually or automatically by copying and pasting the content into Word or Google Docs.
Don’t forget to re-export it as a PDF afterward to keep your document’s formatting intact. You can use PDF.net’s Word-to-PDF tool to do it in just a few clicks.
#3. Do It Manually
You can also open your document in PDF.net, proofread it by reading through it carefully and identifying mistakes manually, and then fix them using PDF.net’s Text function.
Click on the line of text you want to edit, and then type directly to make your changes. If you just want to highlight mistakes for someone else to edit later, select Draw in the toolbar.
Select the Highlighter from the panel on the left and choose the stroke thickness and color you want.
This approach to proofreading PDF files isn’t automatic, but it is convenient for one-off fixes. You can easily re-save the file as a PDF to preserve your formatting when you are done. All you should do is click Download in the top-right corner, make sure the ticked option is PDF, and then select Download PDF.
Best Ways to Avoid Spelling Mistakes in PDFs
Once you create a PDF, spotting a typo often means going back and editing the original document, which takes time. To save yourself the hassle, here are some simple ways to avoid typos in PDF files in the first place:
- Always spell-check before converting to PDF. It is much easier to fix issues while the text is still directly editable. Run a full spell-check in Word, Google Docs, or your writing tool before exporting.
- Use professional proofreading tools. Grammarly, LanguageTool, JSpell, and similar tools are easy to use and help catch spelling and grammar issues before exporting to PDF. Many of them are free and offer extensions for your browser.
- Have another person review important documents. Typos can slip through even after multiple reviews. A second pair of eyes helps catch what you might miss, especially in reports, proposals, or any client-facing material.
- Keep a master editable file for updates. Always save a Word or Google Docs version of your final file. So, if the PDF needs to be updated, you can make changes easily without needing to convert or reprocess the file with OCR.
Fix Your PDFs in Seconds with PDF.net
If you are reading through a PDF and spot a mistake, do not worry; PDF.net lets you edit the text directly and even add new text boxes if needed.
On top of that, you can polish your document with tools that allow you to rearrange pages, add page numbers, and more. If your PDF is meant for web use, you can also compress it to reduce the file size without losing quality. Case in point, you can rely on PDF.net to handle quick edits without hassle!
Final Thoughts
Regardless of whether you are working with an editable PDF or a scanned one, there is always a way to catch and fix typos. And now that you know how to spell-check a PDF, you can avoid embarrassing mistakes and keep your documents looking professional.
Tools like Word, Google Docs, OCR converters, and PDF.net can help make the process easier. With the right steps and software, you can clean up your content quickly, save time on revisions, and share polished PDFs with total confidence.
How to Spell-Check PDF FAQs
#1. Can I spell-check a PDF for free?
You can spell-check a PDF for free by converting it to DOCX and editing it in Word or Google Docs. If your PDF is scanned, run it through an OCR tool to extract the text, and then copy and paste it into Word or Google Docs to spell-check.
#2. How do I fix typos in a locked PDF?
To fix typos in a locked PDF, unlock your document using PDF.net; once you can access the document, use PDF.net’s Text function to make direct changes.
#3. Can I spell-check a scanned PDF directly?
You cannot spell-check a scanned PDF directly because it is an image without selectable or searchable text. You need to convert the scanned PDF using an OCR tool first, and then you can spell-check it.
#4. Is online spell-check safe for confidential files?
Online spell-checking is not always safe for confidential files. You need to use a reliable tool; PDF.net, for example, is secure because this editor uses encrypted connections.
#5. How do you search for specific words in a PDF?
To search for specific words in a PDF, press Ctrl+F on Windows or Cmd+F on Mac and type the word you are looking for. This works in most browsers and PDF readers if your PDF is editable. For scanned PDFs, you will need to run OCR to extract the text first.