How to Turn Scanned PDF into Searchable PDF using PDF.co and Make

Step 1: Create A Scenario

First, click on the Create A Scenario button at the top right corner of your Dashboard.

Step 2: Google Drive App

Under the New Scenario, choose the Google Drive app. This step is optional. If your file is stored in a different cloud storage service, please choose that app instead.

Step 3: Download A File

Now, choose the Download A File module so we can get the file from Google Drive and use it in PDF.co.

Step 4: Google Drive Configuration

In this step, let’s set up the Google Drive module.

• In the Enter a File ID field, choose Select from the list.
• In the Choose a Drive field, select the My Drive.
• In the File ID field, fill it out with the specific folder where the file resides.

Step 5: PDF.co App

Next, let’s add another module and select PDF.co as our app.

Step 6: Make An API Call

Under PDF.co, choose the Make an API Call module.

Step 7: PDF.co Configuration

Now, let’s configure the PDF.co Make an API Call module.

• In the API Endpoint Path field, enter the API endpoint to call the Make Searchable function /v1/pdf/makesearchable.

• In the Input Type field, select Upload Files.
• Under Input files, click on the Add a file button.
• In the Source file field, choose Google Drive – Download a File.

NOTE: Check out the PDF.co API Documentation for more details.

Now, you can test the configuration and see the result of the Scenario.

Step 8: Scenario Result

Great! You have successfully Run the Scenario.

Step 9: Searchable PDF Output

Here’s what the Searchable PDF output looks like. The text in the PDF can now be searched and highlighted.