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How to Copy Images or Text From a PDF File

Use Adobe's free Acrobat Reader to copy and paste from PDF files

By Sue Chastain Sue Chastain Writer St. Petersburg College Sue Chastain is a former Lifewire writer and a graphics software authority with web design and print publishing credentials. She's also skilled in WordPress administration. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on January 1, 2021 Reviewed by Christine Baker Reviewed by Christine Baker Christine Baker is a marketing consultant with experience working for a variety of clients. Her expertise includes social media, web development, and graphic design. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Design Graphic Design Photoshop Animation & Video 3D Design

What to Know

Open the PDF in Adobe Reader DC, use the Select tool on the menu bar to choose an image or text, then select Edit > Copy.Paste images into another document or image-editing program. Paste text into a plain-text editor or a Word document to edit it.In older versions of Reader, select Edit > Take A Snapshot, then select the Camera icon to take a snapshot of an image or text. This article explains how to copy images and text from a PDF file using Acrobat Reader DC on your computer.

How to Copy a PDF Image Using Reader DC

Install Adobe Reader DC if you haven't already. Then: Use the Select tool on the menu bar to select an image within Adobe Reader DC. Select Edit and select Copy or enter the Ctrl+C keyboard shortcut (or Command+C on a Mac) to copy the image. Paste the image into a document or image editing software on your computer. Save the file with the copied image. The image is copied at screen resolution, which is 72 to 96 pixels per inch.

How to Copy PDF Text Using Reader DC

The steps to copy text from a PDF using Reader DC are similar. Follow these steps to do it. Select the Select tool on the menu bar and highlight the text you want to copy. Select Edit and select Copy or enter the Ctrl+C keyboard shortcut (or Command+C on a Mac) to copy the text. Paste the text into a text editor or word processing program. The text remains fully editable. Save the file with the copied text. Images can be pasted into another document or image-editing program. Paste text into a plain-text editor or a Microsoft Word document to edit it.

Copying in Older Versions of Reader

Acrobat Reader DC is compatible with Windows 7 and later and OS X 10.9 or later. If you have older versions of these operating systems, download a previous version of Reader. You can copy and paste images and text from these versions as well, although the exact method varies among versions. Try one of these approaches: Choose Edit > Take A Snapshot. The Camera icon, which is the Snapshot tool, appears on the toolbar. You can use it to take a snapshot of an image or text, although the text won't be editable using this method. Select the Graphics Select Tool on the toolbar or use the keyboard shortcut G. (Acrobat Reader 5) to copy an image. Click and hold on the Text Select Tool to open a flyout menu. When you use the Text Select Tool, the copied text remains editable. Select the Graphic Select Tool from the flyout menu to copy an image. (Acrobat Reader 4). Right-click an image and choose Copy. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Insert a PDF Into Word How to Stop Adobe Reader From Opening PDFs in the Browser How to Electronically Sign a PDF How to Add Hyperlinks to PDF Files What Is a PDF File? (And How to Open One) How to Cut, Copy, and Paste on a Mac How to Save an Outlook Email as a PDF The 9 Best Free PDF Editors (October 2022) How to Use Microsoft Word The 4 Best Free Text Editors for Windows & Mac How to Copy and Paste on a Chromebook How to Copy and Paste on Facebook How to Alphabetize in Google Docs XFDF File (What It Is & How to Open One) How to Copy and Paste on a Laptop How to Search a PDF Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies