To copy text from a screenshot, run it through an OCR (optical character recognition) tool: upload the screenshot to a free image-to-text converter, or use the text selection built into your phone (Live Text on iPhone, Google Lens on Android) and your computer (the Snipping Tool’s Text Actions on Windows 11, Live Text in macOS Preview). Screenshots are ideal for OCR because the text is sharp, straight and evenly lit, so accuracy is usually very high. Crop to just the text first and always proofread numbers.
- Screenshots are the easiest images for OCR: clean, flat and high contrast.
- Phones and computers often have text selection built in.
- Crop to the text area before OCR for cleaner results.
- Always check numbers, emails and links after copying.
- Get a Word or text file from any screenshot with the free Image to Text tool.
Typing it all again by hand
Picture an office assistant whose manager sends a screenshot of a long email from a client and says: “Put this into our report.” She starts typing. Three paragraphs in, she makes a mistake in a delivery date and has to check every line again. Twenty minutes gone.
The same job takes about thirty seconds with OCR: upload, copy, paste, proofread. Once you know how, you will never retype a screenshot again.
Method 1: Built-in text selection
| Device | How |
|---|---|
| iPhone | Open the screenshot in Photos, touch and hold the text (Live Text), then Copy |
| Android | Open in Google Photos and tap Lens, or use Circle to Search on supported phones, then select text and Copy |
| Windows 11 | Open the Snipping Tool, take or open a screenshot, click Text actions, then Copy all text |
| Mac | Open in Preview or Photos and select the text with your cursor (Live Text) |
Method 2: Free online OCR to Word or text
- Crop the screenshotRemove menus, sidebars and other text you do not need with the Image Cropper.
- Open the OCR toolGo to the free Image to Text converter.
- UploadAdd one or more screenshots. Processing happens in your browser.
- Choose the outputDownload as a Word document (.doc) or plain text (.txt).
- ProofreadCheck names, numbers, emails and links carefully.
Tips for better results
- Zoom before screenshottingBigger text means fewer errors.
- Avoid dark mode for OCRLight background with dark text usually recognises best.
- One column at a timeCrop multi-column layouts into separate images so lines do not mix.
- Skip decorative fontsHandwritten-style or very thin fonts confuse OCR.
Common uses
Privacy reminder
Screenshots often contain private details. If you share the screenshot itself, crop and cover sensitive parts first, see how to crop screenshots safely. Browser-based OCR like ours keeps the image on your device.
Related guides
Read how to convert a picture to text on phone and PC and 10 tips for OCR accuracy.
Sources
- Apple iPhone User Guide: Interact with text in photos (Live Text)
- Microsoft Support: Use Snipping Tool to capture screenshots
Frequently asked questions
How do I copy text from a screenshot on iPhone?
Open the screenshot in Photos, touch and hold the text to select it with Live Text, then tap Copy.
How do I copy text from a screenshot on Android?
Open it in Google Photos and tap Lens, or use Circle to Search on supported phones, then select the text and copy.
Can Windows extract text from a screenshot?
Yes. In Windows 11, the Snipping Tool has Text actions that let you copy all text from a screenshot.
Is OCR accurate on screenshots?
Usually very accurate, because screenshot text is sharp and straight. Still proofread numbers and links.
Can I convert a screenshot to a Word document?
Yes. Upload it to a free OCR tool that exports to Word, such as our Image to Text converter.
Extract text from photos, screenshots and scans and download it as Word or text.
Guides for this tool
Guide · 3 min readOCR Accuracy: 10 Tips to Get Clean Text from Photos and Scans
Guide · 3 min readHow to Convert a Picture to Text on Phone and PC (Free OCR Guide)
Guide · 3 min readBangla OCR: How to Convert Bangla Text in Images to Editable Text
Guide · 3 min readHandwriting to Text: Can OCR Read Handwritten Notes?Want a tool, website or app like this for your business?
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