SoftakenExtract Text from PDF

Extract Text content from PDF – Copy text, create editable documents, and analyze content from your PDF files with page selection options.

100% Standalone Utility — Extract text from Portable Document Format (.pdf) files without installing Adobe Acrobat or third-party PDF tools.

Key Feature Highlights

  • Easy extraction of text content from PDF files
  • For targeted extraction, choose all pages or select only the pages you want with the help of the Page Range filter.
  • Stores the extracted text in TXT Format which is the most supported and easiest to edit format.
  • It preserves the formatting of the original document during the extraction process.
  • This tool supports Unicode and all international characters, allowing for the extraction and translation of multilingual PDF files much simpler.
  • Will run immediately from the EXE File and requires no installation or setup.
  • Supported on Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7 & Other · Mac · Linux
  • Great for copying PDF text to use in other applications.
  • Easily use PDF text content to create editable documents.
  • Comes with a simple and modern GUI, ideal for every user.
  • Uses open source projects, all commercially licensed libraries for commercial use.
  • A free demo version is available for examination purposes of the features.
  • Native / selectable PDF text only: extracts the text layer from digitally created PDFs (Word, web pages, and similar sources). It does not include OCR, so scanned image PDFs have no text to pull.
  • Export text as: Plain Text (.TXT). The Review step saves a .txt file. DOC, DOCX, RTF, and clipboard copy are not listed on this wizard.
  • Maintains reading order: preserves paragraph structures, basic layout, and line breaks when the PDF contains real text. Complex layouts may affect accuracy.
  • Page Range (optional): leave empty for all pages, or enter a range such as 1-5 or 1,3,5. Odd/even radios are not listed.

Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Demo extracts the first page only. Buy Now uses the same PDF Champ checkout for all platforms.

100% Safe & Verified Download Windows, Mac, and Linux installers are digitally signed with a trusted certificate, ensuring authentic publisher identity and zero tampering.

Softaken Extract Text from PDF
Safe & Secure DownloadScanned with multiple antivirus engines. VirusTotal Report.
100% Safe

Quick Facts

Output
TXT
Text type
Native / selectable
Demo
First page only
Platform
Windows · Mac · Linux

See the software interface

Follow the steps on the left. Use the arrows to switch screenshots — click a screenshot to enlarge.

Open Extract Text — Softaken Extract Text from PDF

step 1 of 4 · click image to enlarge

No OCR. This module extracts selectable (native) PDF text. Scanned or image-only PDFs cannot yield text here. For photos and scans, use Softaken OCR Image to Text Extractor. The Extract Text wizard browses one PDF, optionally sets a page range, then saves a .txt file. Step 4 reviews File, Page Range, and Output — it is a settings summary, not a live extracted-text preview. A password box is not shown on those four steps. Use an unprotected PDF, or unlock first with PDF Champ Remove Security.

Watch the demo

See the utility browse a PDF, set an optional page range, and save extracted text — without Adobe Acrobat.

Copy selectable PDF text to a TXT file

  1. Download and launch PDF Champ, then open Extract Text
  2. Browse and upload your PDF file
  3. Add the page range (or leave empty for all pages) and click Next
  4. Browse the location to save the .txt file, review settings, and hit Process

Situations to use Extract Text

One of the most powerful capabilities of this PDF Champ is the extract text feature which allows you to select specific pages in a PDF file for extracting, copying, or analyzing the text.

Text Copying

In situations when there's a lot to copy, or a PDF won't let you select a particular text easily, with this tool, you can quickly pull text from a PDF and use it in any other app if you need. It cuts the hassle of manually copying and pasting — the tool extracts everything for you, and saves your valuable time.

Benefit: Text Copying — faster, local PDF workflow.

Content Editing

For simplified editing and updating of any document to reuse the parts of it without retyping everything from scratch, this tool efficiently turns your PDF text into an editable TXT file, which you can open in Microsoft Word or any text editor and complete your task hassle-free.

Benefit: Content Editing — faster, local PDF workflow.

Content Analysis

It is helpful to researchers, data analysts, and content managers who need to search through information, build searchable databases, or study the text from the PDF document, as it can pull text from PDF files for enhanced analysis or indexing of the text.

Benefit: Content Analysis — faster, local PDF workflow.

Features & Benefits of Extract Text from PDF

This tool lets you easily extract text from a PDF document with formatting intact and create more user-friendly information for others. It's ideal for researchers and authors needing to access or edit text content within their PDF documents as well as anyone who works with printable text data in other formats.

Page Selection Options

Using the PDF page range selection feature provides flexibility when extracting the content. This option provides you with the ability to extract any informational content needed, such as selecting pages individually or in varying page groups or even the entire PDF document, which is one of the best options for specific results. On the wizard, leave Page Range empty for all pages, or type 1-5 or 1,3,5.

Benefit: Page Selection Options — faster, local PDF workflow.

Format Preservation

This advanced tool extracts text from your PDF files while retaining the original formatting, including paragraphs, basic layout, and line breaks, which makes the text readable and maintainable. It delivers a clean, editable, and de-cluttered layout of the document. Complex layouts may affect accuracy.

Benefit: Format Preservation — faster, local PDF workflow.

TXT Output Format

For a convenient, clean and editable documents format, you can save your extracted text from a PDF as a TXT file with this feature of this tool, in which it extracts the text and saves your output file into .txt file format which works with almost any text editor or word processor as TXT is great for plain text, making it simple to copy, edit or analyse the content.

Benefit: TXT Output Format — faster, local PDF workflow.

Easy Text Extraction

No matter how large your PDF document is, this smart tool will handle it quickly and pull text from a PDF file without putting much effort, as it has a fast extraction engine that can work with heavy files seamlessly. Making it a great tool for content analysis or converting documents into editable formats, as it delivers the results in a few seconds.

Benefit: Easy Text Extraction — faster, local PDF workflow.

Unicode & International Character Support

Support for International Characters and Unicode. We provide full support for extracting text from PDF files that contain non-Latin scripts, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, Russian, etc. Our extract text method supports the extraction of all types of characters, including special characters, as well as any combination of international character sets.

Benefit: Unicode & International Character Support — faster, local PDF workflow.

Free Trial to Test

This feature is available for free for trial purposes. You can test all aspects of the tool and extract text from only the first page of your PDF document. The trial allows you to determine whether the tool is a match for what you are trying to do. There is no need to provide a credit card number to download the free trial of the tool. Download it and start testing it right away.

Benefit: Free Trial to Test — faster, local PDF workflow.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does this tool extract text from scanned image PDFs using OCR technology?

No. It pulls the selectable text layer from native PDFs (Word exports, web pages, and similar). Scanned image PDFs are pictures of pages, so there is no text layer to grab. OCR is not on this wizard. For scans and photos, use Softaken OCR Image to Text Extractor.

2. Which output file formats (TXT, DOC, RTF) can I save the extracted text into?

Output is TXT (plain text). Step 4 Review Settings shows a .txt file. DOC, DOCX, RTF, and a clipboard-copy button are not listed here. Open the .txt in Word or any editor afterward if you need another format.

3. Do I need to install Adobe Acrobat on my PC to extract text from PDF files?

No. Extract Text ships inside Softaken PDF Champ as a standalone app for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Adobe Acrobat is not required. Double-click PDF Champ.exe to launch — no traditional install is needed.

4. Can I extract text from copy-protected or password-restricted PDF documents?

A password field is not listed on the four Extract Text steps (Select PDF, Page Range, Destination, Review). Use an unprotected PDF. Docs say password-protected files need the password before extraction — unlock first with PDF Champ Remove Security if you have it. This page does not claim to bypass owner-password restrictions without the password.

5. Will the tool preserve the original paragraph flow, line breaks, and bullet points?

Yes, when the PDF has real selectable text. Paragraphs, basic layout, and line breaks stay readable. Complex layouts can affect accuracy. Headings and bullets are kept only if they exist in the text layer — they are not rebuilt with OCR.

6. Can I extract text from specific pages or a customized page range in a multi-page PDF?

Yes. Step 2 is Page Range (Optional) — leave it empty for all pages, or enter something like 1-5 or 1,3,5. Odd/even radios are not on that panel.

7. Can I batch process multiple PDF files to extract text at the same time?

Select PDF File browses one PDF per run. Finish that file, then browse the next one. A folder picker for many PDFs at once is not listed on this wizard.

8. What are the limitations of the free demo version of PDF Text Extractor?

The free demo extracts text from the first page so you can try the workflow. The full license from $29 extracts all pages or a custom page range. OCR is not included in the demo or the full module. Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Specifications

100% Standalone — Adobe Acrobat and other PDF tools are not required. Independently scanned: VirusTotal Report.

Part of PDF Champ — Extract Text is available through Softaken PDF Champ as a portable module (launch PDF Champ.exe — no traditional installation). Pull selectable text from native PDFs into TXT with an optional page range. No OCR. Demo: first page only. Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

No Adobe required: Install Softaken Extract Text from PDF and process PDFs locally on Windows, Mac & Linux. Also on the Microsoft Store.

Supported

Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7 & Other · Mac · Linux

Output

TXT · Native PDF text

Demo

First page only

Pricing

Full from $29

Platform specifications

System requirements and installer packages for Softaken Extract Text from PDF on each OS.

Windows

Desktop installer

Operating System
Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7 (32-bit & 64-bit)
Package
.exe installer (code-signed)
Processor
Intel, AMD, or compatible 64-bit/32-bit processor
RAM
2 GB Minimum (4 GB recommended)
Disk Space
500 MB free for installation
Display
1024×768 or higher

macOS

Apple desktop build

Operating System
macOS 10.15 Catalina and later (Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura, Sonoma & newer)
Package
.dmg installer (code-signed)
Processor
Intel or Apple Silicon
RAM
2 GB Minimum (4 GB recommended)
Disk Space
500 MB free for installation
Display
1280×800 or higher

Linux

AppImage & Debian package

Operating System
Ubuntu 18.04+, Debian 9+, CentOS 7+ and other modern distributions
Package
AppImage and .deb
Architecture
x86_64 (64-bit)
RAM
2 GB Minimum (4 GB recommended)
Disk Space
500 MB free for installation
Desktop
GNOME, KDE, XFCE and similar

Key Specifications

SpecificationDetails
Product NameSoftaken Extract Text from PDF
ModesExtract selectable text · Optional page range
Output formatTXT
OCRNot included (native / selectable text only)
BatchOne PDF at a time
OS SupportedWindows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7 & Other · Mac · Linux
PrerequisiteNo Adobe Acrobat required to run
Processor1 GHz or faster
Memory2 GB minimum (4 GB recommended)
Hard Disk500 MB free space
DemoFirst page only
Full LicenseAll pages or custom range
DeliveryElectronic · Via Email · Minutes: 15
Language / SupportEnglish · Emails, Chat & Skype
PlatformWindows · Mac · Linux
Microsoft StoreOfficial Store listing
Security scanVirusTotal Report

Feature Comparison – Trial and Licensed Version

Demo version extracts text from the first page of each PDF. The full license extracts all pages or a custom page range without that first-page limit. OCR is not included in either version.

FeatureDEMO VersionFULL Version
Extract selectable PDF text to TXTAvailableAvailable
Page range: all pages or 1-5 / 1,3,5First page onlyAll pages or custom range
Review file, range, and output before ProcessAvailableAvailable
Save the .txt file to a chosen folderAvailableAvailable
No Adobe Acrobat requiredAvailableAvailable
Supported Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7 · Mac · LinuxAvailableAvailable
LimitationFirst page onlyAll pages or custom range
PriceFREE$29
Softaken Reviews

What Our Users Say

Customer feedback from Softaken users who extract text from PDF with PDF Champ.

Emily WatsonCustomer feedback

United States · Windows

As a novice, I truly appreciated this tool clean and self-explanatory…

As a novice, I truly appreciated this tool clean and self-explanatory GUI because all I needed to do was upload the PDF file and with a few clicks, it extracted texts from it in a matter of minutes without any complicated processes or misunderstanding. I heartily recommend this product!

Oliver BennettCustomer feedback

United Kingdom · Windows

Personally I really found this tool very helpful for myself as it wor…

Personally I really found this tool very helpful for myself as it works efficiently while preserving the format of the original file, and it stores the extracted text file in .txt format which is easy to open and edit. The best part is that there are no file size limitations.

Nina KapoorCustomer feedback

India · Windows

I needed to pull out some text from hundreds of PDF files as I find t…

I needed to pull out some text from hundreds of PDF files as I find that manually going through each file one at a time was taking a lot of time so I tried this app as one of my college suggested me and to my amazement it performed incredibly well and produced the results in just a few minutes without sacrificing the quality of the images. I loved working with this tool!

Show more reviews
Carlos MendesCustomer feedback

Brazil · Windows

The tool functions perfectly as I wanted to use this PDF to text extr…

The tool functions perfectly as I wanted to use this PDF to text extractor for a long time but I wasn't sure if I should purchase the license version or not. Instead I tried the free demo version which allowed me to explore its features and then I paid for the full version which fulfills its promises and is a pleasure to use.

Review

Extract PDF text on Windows, Mac & Linux

Selectable text to TXT — no Adobe Acrobat, no OCR for scans.

  • Windows · Mac · Linux
  • TXT · Page range
  • Demo: first page

Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Demo extracts the first page only. Buy Now uses the same PDF Champ checkout for all platforms.