1. Introduction
2. Example Use Cases
3. Step-by-Step Instructions

Introduction

You can use Convert PDF to Text by cloudHQ from a phone or tablet. Open the Convert PDF to Text Dashboard in a mobile browser such as Chrome or Safari. You do not need to install PDF conversion software on your device.

The conversion is completed online. This makes it easy to convert regular PDFs, scanned PDFs, photos, and screenshots while you are away from your computer. OCR reads text from scanned or image-based files.

You can select files from Google Drive or upload files stored on your phone. When the conversion is complete, the TXT file is saved to Google Drive and is also available to download.

Example Use Cases

Mobile access is useful because important documents often arrive when you are away from your computer. You may need information from a PDF right away, but copying text from a PDF or scanned image on a phone can be difficult. Convert PDF to Text lets you complete the work from your mobile browser.

Convert a receipt or invoice while working in the field

Imagine that you are visiting a customer, attending a conference, or traveling for work. You take a photo of a receipt or receive a scanned invoice on your phone. You need the invoice number, total, or vendor information for an expense report.

Open Convert PDF to Text in your phone’s browser and upload the image or PDF. OCR reads the document and creates a TXT file. You can then copy the information into an expense app, send it to your accounting team, or save it for later. This saves you from typing the receipt by hand and helps you finish the expense report before the paper receipt is lost. It is also useful for sales representatives, delivery drivers, and other employees who collect documents outside the office. The extracted text can be pasted into an email, spreadsheet, or accounting form directly from the phone.

Read and share an urgent document while traveling

Imagine that a coworker adds a contract, report, or policy document to Google Drive while you are away from your desk. You need to find a clause, copy part of the document, or send its text to another person.

Open the Convert PDF to Text Dashboard on your phone and select the file from Google Drive. Turn on redaction if the document contains private information. After the conversion, open the TXT file in Google Drive or download it to your phone. You can search, copy, and share the text without waiting until you have access to a computer. This helps you answer an urgent question or meet a deadline even when you are traveling. A searchable TXT file also makes it easier to find a name, date, clause, or other detail on a small phone screen. You can share only the text that matters instead of sending the complete PDF.

Why mobile access is important

• Work from anywhere: Convert a document while traveling, visiting a customer, or working away from your desk.
• Use files already on your phone: Upload a downloaded PDF, a photo, or a screenshot without first moving it to a computer.
• Use Google Drive directly: Select a Drive file without downloading it to your phone first.
• Save time: Get searchable text when you need it instead of waiting until you return to your computer.
• Keep the work in the cloud: The conversion is processed online, and the TXT result is saved to Google Drive and made available to download.

Step-by-Step Instructions

For these steps, use a web browser on your phone. Do not use the Google Drive mobile app to open the dashboard.

1. Open https://www.cloudhq.net/pdf_to_txt in Chrome, Safari, or another mobile browser. Sign in to cloudHQ if needed.
2. If cloudHQ asks for permission to use Google Drive, follow the prompts and allow access. This lets cloudHQ read the files you select and save the converted TXT files to your Drive.
3. Tap Select files from my Google Drive to choose PDFs from Google Drive. To select files stored on your phone, tap Upload files from my computer. This button also opens files stored on a phone or tablet.
   
4. Select one or more PDF files. You can also select a Google Drive folder to convert the supported files directly inside that folder.
   
5. Check the file list. If needed, turn on Redact sensitive information from the extracted text. You can also choose to keep one combined text file for a folder or for your Google Drive.
6. Tap Convert to Text. Keep the browser page open while cloudHQ processes the files. Scanned PDFs may take longer because OCR must read each page.
   
7. When the conversion is complete, tap the download icon to save the TXT file to your phone. Tap the Google Drive icon to open the saved TXT file in Google Drive.
   
8. Open the TXT file with your phone’s Files app, Google Drive, a text editor, or another app that supports plain text. You can now search, copy, edit, or share the extracted text.