What is the primary use of IronOCR?

IronOCR is primarily used to convert scanned PDFs into searchable and compliant documents, making them accessible and enabling data extraction and full-text search.

How can IronOCR help in achieving PDF/UA compliance?

IronOCR facilitates PDF/UA compliance by converting non-compliant PDFs into documents that are accessible to users with disabilities, using assistive technologies, in just a few lines of C# code.

What are the benefits of making PDFs searchable with IronOCR?

Making PDFs searchable with IronOCR enables full-text search capabilities, allowing users to quickly find specific content within large document archives, saving time and improving productivity.

How does targeted data extraction work with IronOCR?

IronOCR uses bounding box coordinates to extract specific data from PDFs, focusing on predefined regions, which speeds up the processing and reduces resource usage, ideal for standardized forms.

Can IronOCR handle batch processing?

Yes, IronOCR supports batch processing and can integrate with systems for high-volume document processing, using multi-threading to convert hundreds or millions of documents quickly.

What industries benefit most from IronOCR's features?

Industries such as legal firms, healthcare providers, financial institutions, and real estate companies benefit significantly due to their need for accessible and searchable document management.

Does IronOCR support multiple languages?

Yes, IronOCR supports over 125 languages, allowing it to accurately process and manage documents in diverse linguistic contexts.

What kind of technical support does IronOCR offer?

IronOCR provides 24/5 technical support via chat and email, including assistance from OCR specialists, to help with challenging document types, multiple languages, and complex integrations.

How does IronOCR improve document processing automation?

IronOCR automates document processing by transforming manual bottlenecks into streamlined workflows, integrating with existing systems for efficient data management and extraction.

How can IronOCR contribute to operational efficiency?

By automating data extraction and enabling fast content search, IronOCR helps organizations meet compliance standards efficiently, reducing manual labor and minimizing operational costs.

The C# OCR Library

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using IronOcr;

string imageText = new IronTesseract().Read(@"images\image.png").Text;

using IronOcr;

string imageText = new IronTesseract().Read(@"images\image.png").Text;

PM >Install-Package IronOcr

Install-Package IronOcr

USING IRONOCR

Unlocking the Power of Searchable PDFs with IronOCR: Webinar Recap

Kannapat Udonpant

Updated: August 1, 2026

In the "Streamlining Document Conversion with IronOCR" webinar, Chipego Kalinda (Software Sales Engineer) and Darren Steddy (Sales Operations Manager) explored three practical use cases for IronOCR with live code and real-world examples, demonstrating how effective and easy it is to convert scanned PDFs into searchable, compliant documents.

IronOCR allows businesses to convert scanned PDFs into searchable, compliant documents with just a few lines of code, automating data extraction and meeting accessibility standards like PDF/UA for legal compliance and operational efficiency.

How Can I Make PDFs Compliant with PDF/UA?

Why Do PDF/UA Standards Matter for My Business?

Many organizations must meet accessibility and compliance standards like PDF/UA - whether for internal policies, public sector mandates, or long-term archiving. The PDF/UA (Universal Accessibility) standard ensures PDFs are fully accessible to users with disabilities, particularly those using assistive technologies like screen readers. This isn't just about compliance - it's about ensuring equal access to information for all users while avoiding potential legal issues related to accessibility violations.

What Makes the IronOCR Approach So Simple?

Chipego demonstrated how IronOCR converts a regular, non-compliant PDF into a fully PDF/UA-compliant document in just a few lines of code.

using IronOcr;
using IronPdf;

// Initialize IronOCR
var ocr = new IronTesseract();

// Configure OCR for accessibility compliance
ocr.Configuration.ReadBarCodes = true;
ocr.Configuration.RenderSearchablePdf = true;

// Read the scanned PDF
using var input = new OcrInput();
input.AddPdf("scanned-document.pdf");

// Perform OCR and create searchable PDF/UA compliant document
var result = ocr.Read(input);
result.SaveAsSearchablePdf("compliant-output.pdf");

using IronOcr;
using IronPdf;

// Initialize IronOCR
var ocr = new IronTesseract();

// Configure OCR for accessibility compliance
ocr.Configuration.ReadBarCodes = true;
ocr.Configuration.RenderSearchablePdf = true;

// Read the scanned PDF
using var input = new OcrInput();
input.AddPdf("scanned-document.pdf");

// Perform OCR and create searchable PDF/UA compliant document
var result = ocr.Read(input);
result.SaveAsSearchablePdf("compliant-output.pdf");

Imports IronOcr
Imports IronPdf

' Initialize IronOCR
Dim ocr As New IronTesseract()

' Configure OCR for accessibility compliance
ocr.Configuration.ReadBarCodes = True
ocr.Configuration.RenderSearchablePdf = True

' Read the scanned PDF
Using input As New OcrInput()
    input.AddPdf("scanned-document.pdf")

    ' Perform OCR and create searchable PDF/UA compliant document
    Dim result = ocr.Read(input)
    result.SaveAsSearchablePdf("compliant-output.pdf")
End Using

Imports IronOcr
Imports IronPdf

' Initialize IronOCR
Dim ocr As New IronTesseract()

' Configure OCR for accessibility compliance
ocr.Configuration.ReadBarCodes = True
ocr.Configuration.RenderSearchablePdf = True

' Read the scanned PDF
Using input As New OcrInput()
    input.AddPdf("scanned-document.pdf")

    ' Perform OCR and create searchable PDF/UA compliant document
    Dim result = ocr.Read(input)
    result.SaveAsSearchablePdf("compliant-output.pdf")
End Using

The result was verified using VeraPDF, a validation tool for accessibility and archival standards. This validation step is crucial for organizations that need to prove compliance for audits or regulatory requirements.

Who Benefits Most from PDF/UA Compliance?

PDF/UA compliance ensures visually impaired users can access your documents using screen readers, supporting both legal compliance and inclusive design. Government agencies, educational institutions, and healthcare organizations particularly benefit since they often have strict accessibility requirements. Additionally, companies doing business in the EU must comply with the European Accessibility Act, making PDF/UA compliance essential for market access.

Demonstrating searchable PDF creation with IronOCR showing before and after document comparison

How Do I Make Scanned PDFs Searchable?

What Problem Does This Solve?

Ever had a scanned document that looks like a PDF but acts like an image? That's where OCR technology comes in. Many businesses struggle with legacy document archives containing thousands of scanned PDFs - these files take up storage space but offer no searchability or data extraction capabilities. Without OCR, employees waste countless hours manually searching through documents, leading to decreased productivity and increased operational costs.

How Does the Conversion Process Work?

Chipego showed how IronOCR turns a non-searchable scanned PDF into a searchable PDF, instantly enabling full-text search capabilities. The process involves several sophisticated steps:

using IronOcr;

// Create a new OCR engine instance
var ocr = new IronTesseract();

// Configure language and accuracy settings
ocr.Language = OcrLanguage.English;
ocr.Configuration.PageSegmentationMode = TesseractPageSegmentationMode.AutoOsd;

// Load the scanned PDF
using var input = new OcrInput();
input.AddPdf("invoice-scan.pdf");

// Apply image improve for better accuracy
input.DeNoise();
input.Deskew();
input.EnhanceResolution(225);

// Perform OCR and save as searchable PDF
var result = ocr.Read(input);
result.SaveAsSearchablePdf("searchable-invoice.pdf");

// Extract text for indexing
string extractedText = result.Text;
Console.WriteLine($"Extracted {extractedText.Length} characters");

using IronOcr;

// Create a new OCR engine instance
var ocr = new IronTesseract();

// Configure language and accuracy settings
ocr.Language = OcrLanguage.English;
ocr.Configuration.PageSegmentationMode = TesseractPageSegmentationMode.AutoOsd;

// Load the scanned PDF
using var input = new OcrInput();
input.AddPdf("invoice-scan.pdf");

// Apply image improve for better accuracy
input.DeNoise();
input.Deskew();
input.EnhanceResolution(225);

// Perform OCR and save as searchable PDF
var result = ocr.Read(input);
result.SaveAsSearchablePdf("searchable-invoice.pdf");

// Extract text for indexing
string extractedText = result.Text;
Console.WriteLine($"Extracted {extractedText.Length} characters");

Imports IronOcr

' Create a new OCR engine instance
Dim ocr As New IronTesseract()

' Configure language and accuracy settings
ocr.Language = OcrLanguage.English
ocr.Configuration.PageSegmentationMode = TesseractPageSegmentationMode.AutoOsd

' Load the scanned PDF
Using input As New OcrInput()
    input.AddPdf("invoice-scan.pdf")

    ' Apply image improve for better accuracy
    input.DeNoise()
    input.Deskew()
    input.EnhanceResolution(225)

    ' Perform OCR and save as searchable PDF
    Dim result = ocr.Read(input)
    result.SaveAsSearchablePdf("searchable-invoice.pdf")

    ' Extract text for indexing
    Dim extractedText As String = result.Text
    Console.WriteLine($"Extracted {extractedText.Length} characters")
End Using

Imports IronOcr

' Create a new OCR engine instance
Dim ocr As New IronTesseract()

' Configure language and accuracy settings
ocr.Language = OcrLanguage.English
ocr.Configuration.PageSegmentationMode = TesseractPageSegmentationMode.AutoOsd

' Load the scanned PDF
Using input As New OcrInput()
    input.AddPdf("invoice-scan.pdf")

    ' Apply image improve for better accuracy
    input.DeNoise()
    input.Deskew()
    input.EnhanceResolution(225)

    ' Perform OCR and save as searchable PDF
    Dim result = ocr.Read(input)
    result.SaveAsSearchablePdf("searchable-invoice.pdf")

    ' Extract text for indexing
    Dim extractedText As String = result.Text
    Console.WriteLine($"Extracted {extractedText.Length} characters")
End Using

After conversion, users can find specific content using Ctrl+F or search by keywords like dates, names, or document subjects. The OCR engine intelligently preserves the original document layout while adding an invisible text layer that makes content searchable and selectable.

Which Industries Benefit Most from Searchable PDFs?

Perfect for:

Legal firms handling case files and contracts
Healthcare providers managing patient records
Teams digitizing paper records needing fast content search
Financial institutions for invoice processing and compliance
Real estate companies digitizing property documents

The ability to quickly locate specific information in large document repositories can reduce search time by up to 90%, according to industry estimates.

IronOCR interface showing text extraction and search functionality in converted PDFs

How Can I Extract Specific Data from PDFs?

When Should I Use Targeted Extraction?

For businesses processing high volumes of structured documents like receipts, POs, or invoices, Chipego demonstrated how IronOCR extracts data from specific PDF regions using bounding box coordinates. This targeted approach is particularly valuable when dealing with standardized forms where critical information appears in consistent locations - such as total amounts on invoices, dates on contracts, or customer IDs on order forms.

How Does Regional Processing Improve Performance?

Instead of processing the entire file, IronOCR focuses only on relevant fields like order numbers, totals, or addresses, dramatically improving speed and reducing cloud or compute costs. Here's how to implement targeted extraction:

using IronOcr;
using System.Drawing;

var ocr = new IronTesseract();

// Load PDF and define extraction regions
using var input = new OcrInput();
input.AddPdf("purchase-order.pdf", 1); // Process first page only

// Define bounding box for PO number field (x, y, width, height)
var poNumberArea = new Rectangle(450, 100, 150, 50);
input.AddPdfPage("purchase-order.pdf", 1, poNumberArea);

// Extract just the PO number
var result = ocr.Read(input);
string poNumber = result.Text.Trim();

// Define multiple regions for batch extraction
var regions = new Dictionary<string, Rectangle>
{
    { "PONumber", new Rectangle(450, 100, 150, 50) },
    { "TotalAmount", new Rectangle(450, 600, 150, 50) },
    { "VendorName", new Rectangle(50, 200, 300, 50) }
};

// Extract data from each region
var extractedData = new Dictionary<string, string>();
foreach (var region in regions)
{
    input.Clear();
    input.AddPdfPage("purchase-order.pdf", 1, region.Value);
    var regionResult = ocr.Read(input);
    extractedData[region.Key] = regionResult.Text.Trim();
}

using IronOcr;
using System.Drawing;

var ocr = new IronTesseract();

// Load PDF and define extraction regions
using var input = new OcrInput();
input.AddPdf("purchase-order.pdf", 1); // Process first page only

// Define bounding box for PO number field (x, y, width, height)
var poNumberArea = new Rectangle(450, 100, 150, 50);
input.AddPdfPage("purchase-order.pdf", 1, poNumberArea);

// Extract just the PO number
var result = ocr.Read(input);
string poNumber = result.Text.Trim();

// Define multiple regions for batch extraction
var regions = new Dictionary<string, Rectangle>
{
    { "PONumber", new Rectangle(450, 100, 150, 50) },
    { "TotalAmount", new Rectangle(450, 600, 150, 50) },
    { "VendorName", new Rectangle(50, 200, 300, 50) }
};

// Extract data from each region
var extractedData = new Dictionary<string, string>();
foreach (var region in regions)
{
    input.Clear();
    input.AddPdfPage("purchase-order.pdf", 1, region.Value);
    var regionResult = ocr.Read(input);
    extractedData[region.Key] = regionResult.Text.Trim();
}

Imports IronOcr
Imports System.Drawing

Dim ocr As New IronTesseract()

' Load PDF and define extraction regions
Using input As New OcrInput()
    input.AddPdf("purchase-order.pdf", 1) ' Process first page only

    ' Define bounding box for PO number field (x, y, width, height)
    Dim poNumberArea As New Rectangle(450, 100, 150, 50)
    input.AddPdfPage("purchase-order.pdf", 1, poNumberArea)

    ' Extract just the PO number
    Dim result = ocr.Read(input)
    Dim poNumber As String = result.Text.Trim()

    ' Define multiple regions for batch extraction
    Dim regions As New Dictionary(Of String, Rectangle) From {
        {"PONumber", New Rectangle(450, 100, 150, 50)},
        {"TotalAmount", New Rectangle(450, 600, 150, 50)},
        {"VendorName", New Rectangle(50, 200, 300, 50)}
    }

    ' Extract data from each region
    Dim extractedData As New Dictionary(Of String, String)()
    For Each region In regions
        input.Clear()
        input.AddPdfPage("purchase-order.pdf", 1, region.Value)
        Dim regionResult = ocr.Read(input)
        extractedData(region.Key) = regionResult.Text.Trim()
    Next
End Using

Imports IronOcr
Imports System.Drawing

Dim ocr As New IronTesseract()

' Load PDF and define extraction regions
Using input As New OcrInput()
    input.AddPdf("purchase-order.pdf", 1) ' Process first page only

    ' Define bounding box for PO number field (x, y, width, height)
    Dim poNumberArea As New Rectangle(450, 100, 150, 50)
    input.AddPdfPage("purchase-order.pdf", 1, poNumberArea)

    ' Extract just the PO number
    Dim result = ocr.Read(input)
    Dim poNumber As String = result.Text.Trim()

    ' Define multiple regions for batch extraction
    Dim regions As New Dictionary(Of String, Rectangle) From {
        {"PONumber", New Rectangle(450, 100, 150, 50)},
        {"TotalAmount", New Rectangle(450, 600, 150, 50)},
        {"VendorName", New Rectangle(50, 200, 300, 50)}
    }

    ' Extract data from each region
    Dim extractedData As New Dictionary(Of String, String)()
    For Each region In regions
        input.Clear()
        input.AddPdfPage("purchase-order.pdf", 1, region.Value)
        Dim regionResult = ocr.Read(input)
        extractedData(region.Key) = regionResult.Text.Trim()
    Next
End Using

This targeted approach can reduce processing time by 70-80% compared to full-page OCR, making it ideal for high-volume document processing scenarios.

What Are the Business Benefits?

This automates repetitive data entry tasks, cutting manual effort, improving accuracy, and freeing teams for higher-value work. Companies report saving 20-30 hours per week on data entry alone. The extracted data can automatically export to databases, integrate with existing systems, or trigger automated workflows. For example, extracted invoice totals can automatically update accounting systems, while extracted customer information can populate CRM records without manual intervention.

How Does IronOCR Handle Large-Scale Automation?

Can IronOCR Process Multiple Files at Once?

While the webinar showcased individual code examples, IronOCR is built for batch processing at scale. Whether you're converting hundreds or millions of files, IronOCR integrates easily into your existing systems. The enterprise solution supports multi-threading and distributed processing, allowing organizations to process thousands of documents per hour. Here's a batch processing example:

using IronOcr;
using System.IO;
using System.Threading.Tasks;

public async Task ProcessDocumentBatch(string folderPath)
{
    var ocr = new IronTesseract();
    ocr.Configuration.RenderSearchablePdf = true;
    
    // Get all PDF files in directory
    var pdfFiles = Directory.GetFiles(folderPath, "*.pdf");
    
    // Process files in parallel for maximum efficiency
    await Parallel.ForEachAsync(pdfFiles, async (file, ct) =>
    {
        using var input = new OcrInput();
        input.AddPdf(file);
        
        var result = await Task.Run(() => ocr.Read(input));
        
        // Save searchable version
        var outputPath = Path.Combine(folderPath, "searchable", Path.GetFileName(file));
        result.SaveAsSearchablePdf(outputPath);
        
        // Log processing results
        Console.WriteLine($"Processed: {file} - {result.Pages.Length} pages");
    });
}

using IronOcr;
using System.IO;
using System.Threading.Tasks;

public async Task ProcessDocumentBatch(string folderPath)
{
    var ocr = new IronTesseract();
    ocr.Configuration.RenderSearchablePdf = true;
    
    // Get all PDF files in directory
    var pdfFiles = Directory.GetFiles(folderPath, "*.pdf");
    
    // Process files in parallel for maximum efficiency
    await Parallel.ForEachAsync(pdfFiles, async (file, ct) =>
    {
        using var input = new OcrInput();
        input.AddPdf(file);
        
        var result = await Task.Run(() => ocr.Read(input));
        
        // Save searchable version
        var outputPath = Path.Combine(folderPath, "searchable", Path.GetFileName(file));
        result.SaveAsSearchablePdf(outputPath);
        
        // Log processing results
        Console.WriteLine($"Processed: {file} - {result.Pages.Length} pages");
    });
}

Imports IronOcr
Imports System.IO
Imports System.Threading.Tasks

Public Async Function ProcessDocumentBatch(folderPath As String) As Task
    Dim ocr = New IronTesseract()
    ocr.Configuration.RenderSearchablePdf = True
    
    ' Get all PDF files in directory
    Dim pdfFiles = Directory.GetFiles(folderPath, "*.pdf")
    
    ' Process files in parallel for maximum efficiency
    Await Parallel.ForEachAsync(pdfFiles, Async Function(file, ct)
        Using input = New OcrInput()
            input.AddPdf(file)
            
            Dim result = Await Task.Run(Function() ocr.Read(input))
            
            ' Save searchable version
            Dim outputPath = Path.Combine(folderPath, "searchable", Path.GetFileName(file))
            result.SaveAsSearchablePdf(outputPath)
            
            ' Log processing results
            Console.WriteLine($"Processed: {file} - {result.Pages.Length} pages")
        End Using
    End Function)
End Function

Imports IronOcr
Imports System.IO
Imports System.Threading.Tasks

Public Async Function ProcessDocumentBatch(folderPath As String) As Task
    Dim ocr = New IronTesseract()
    ocr.Configuration.RenderSearchablePdf = True
    
    ' Get all PDF files in directory
    Dim pdfFiles = Directory.GetFiles(folderPath, "*.pdf")
    
    ' Process files in parallel for maximum efficiency
    Await Parallel.ForEachAsync(pdfFiles, Async Function(file, ct)
        Using input = New OcrInput()
            input.AddPdf(file)
            
            Dim result = Await Task.Run(Function() ocr.Read(input))
            
            ' Save searchable version
            Dim outputPath = Path.Combine(folderPath, "searchable", Path.GetFileName(file))
            result.SaveAsSearchablePdf(outputPath)
            
            ' Log processing results
            Console.WriteLine($"Processed: {file} - {result.Pages.Length} pages")
        End Using
    End Function)
End Function

What Support Options Are Available?

Need help? Iron Software provides 24/5 technical support via chat and email to get you up and running quickly. Their support team includes OCR specialists who can help improve your specific use case, whether you're dealing with challenging document types, multiple languages, or complex integration requirements. Plus, complete documentation and code examples help developers implement solutions independently.

Ready to Make Your PDFs Searchable, Compliant, and Automation-Ready?

IronOCR transforms document processing from a manual bottleneck into an automated workflow. With support for over 125 languages, advanced image preprocessing, and smooth PDF handling, it's the complete solution for modern document management. Whether you're ensuring compliance, enabling search, or extracting critical data, IronOCR delivers professional OCR capabilities with developer-friendly implementation.

Check out IronOCR's full documentation and get started today:

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