How to Copy Text From a Picture (Windows, Mac and Chrome)

A coworker sent me a screenshot of a long tracking number, and I caught myself squinting at it, ready to retype every character by hand. Then I remembered I didn't have to.

Here's the quick answer on how to copy text from a picture: on Windows 11, open the image in Snipping Tool and click Text actions. On a Mac, open it in Preview or Photos and drag across the text like a document. In Chrome, right-click the image and choose Search with Google Lens.

What does it mean to extract text from an image?

To extract text from an image means turning the letters in a photo or screenshot into real, editable text I can copy and paste. The technology behind it is called OCR (optical character recognition).

I don't need a special app for it. Windows, macOS, Chrome and Google Docs all have free OCR built in.

How to copy text from a picture on Windows 11 (Snipping Tool)

Snipping Tool is my go-to way to copy text from a screenshot on Windows 11. Here's what I do:

1. I press Windows key + Shift + S and drag a box around the text.
2. I click the notification to open the snip in Snipping Tool. For a saved picture, I open Snipping Tool and press Ctrl + O instead.
3. I click the Text actions button in the toolbar, and the text it found gets highlighted.
4. I select the words, right-click, and choose Copy text, or click Copy all text. Then I paste with Ctrl + V.

How to extract text from an image with PowerToys Text Extractor

PowerToys is a free Microsoft add-on, and its Text Extractor lets me copy text from image content anywhere on my screen: a photo, a paused video, or an error box I can't select.

1. I install Microsoft PowerToys from the Microsoft Store and make sure Text Extractor is switched on in its settings.
2. I press Windows key + Shift + T.
3. I drag a box around the text. It's copied straight to my clipboard, ready to paste.

How to copy text from a picture in OneNote

OneNote has its own way to copy text from a picture. I go to Insert, then Pictures, and add the image to a page. Then I right-click it and choose Copy Text from Picture, and the text lands on my clipboard.

This works in the OneNote desktop app for Windows; other versions may not show the option.

How to copy text from image on Mac (Live Text)

On a Mac, Live Text lets me select words inside images. It works in Preview, Photos, Safari and Quick Look on macOS Monterey and later.

1. I open the picture in Preview or Photos.
2. I hover over the text until my pointer turns into a text cursor.
3. I drag to highlight the words and press Command + C.

To copy text from a screenshot on a Mac, I press Command + Shift + 4, drag around the area, then open the file in Preview and select the text.

If nothing highlights, I check System Settings, then General, then Language & Region, and make sure Live Text is turned on.

How to copy text from an image in Chrome with Google Lens

When the picture is on a web page, Google Lens in Chrome copies text from an image without downloading it, on Windows or Mac.

1. I right-click the image and choose Search with Google Lens.
2. A side panel opens on the right. I click Text.
3. I select the words I want and click Copy text.

Lens does much more, so here's my walkthrough on how to use Google Lens on PC.

How to extract text from an image with Google Docs

Google Docs can also extract text from image files, which is great for longer text like a scanned letter.

1. In Google Drive, I click New, then File upload, and pick the image (JPG, PNG, GIF or PDF).
2. I right-click the uploaded file and choose Open with, then Google Docs.
3. A new doc opens with the image at the top and the editable text underneath.

When copying text from an image won't work well

OCR isn't perfect. Here's where I've seen these tools struggle when I extract text from an image:

• Handwriting. Neat print usually works. Messy notes often come out garbled, though Google Lens tends to do best.
• Low resolution. Blurry or angled photos lose letters. A sharper, straight-on shot fixes most of it.
• Tables and columns. The words come through, but the formatting doesn't, so columns can merge into one long line.
• Look-alike characters. O and 0, or l and 1, get mixed up, which matters for codes and phone numbers.
• Privacy. PowerToys and Live Text do the work on my computer, while Google Lens and Google Docs upload the image to Google.

Pro tip: Always proofread what you paste, especially numbers, before you send or submit it.

If I can't find a button like Text actions, Guidy can look at my screen when I ask and point to where to click (on desktop or as a Chrome extension). I still do the clicking myself.

Pick the method that fits your picture

For screenshots on Windows, I use Snipping Tool or PowerToys. On a Mac, Live Text wins. For web images, Google Lens is fastest, and for long scans, Google Docs keeps things tidy.

If the copied text is a question I need answered, my guide to the free AI answer generator options covers what works. For "how do I do this?" questions, Guidy's page on AI that answers questions on screen shows how it guides you. Now you know how to copy text from a picture on any computer.

FAQs

How do I copy text from a picture on my iPhone?

Open the photo in the Photos app, then touch and hold a word until it highlights. Drag the handles to select the text and tap Copy. This is Live Text, and it also works in the Camera app. On Android, Google Lens in Google Photos does the same job.

Can I extract text from an image for free?

Yes, you can extract text from an image for free with tools you probably already have. Windows 11 has Snipping Tool's Text actions, Macs have Live Text, and Chrome has Google Lens. PowerToys and Google Docs are free too, so you don't need a paid OCR app for everyday photos.

Can Google Lens read handwriting?

Yes, Google Lens can read handwriting, and it usually does better than most built-in tools. Results depend on how neat the writing and how clear the photo is. Printed-style handwriting comes out well, while cursive or rushed notes often need fixing, so proofread before relying on it.

Why can't I select text in an image on my Mac?

The most common reason is that Live Text is turned off. Go to System Settings, then General, then Language & Region, and turn on Live Text. Also check that you're on macOS Monterey or later, that you're in a supported app like Preview or Photos, and that the image is sharp.