Mobile OCR apps

Updated: August 01, 2023

Mobile OCR (Optical Character Recognition) apps are powerful tools that enable users to convert text from images or documents into editable and searchable digital text. These apps utilize the device's camera to capture images of text, which the OCR technology then processes and recognizes as editable text. Mobile OCR apps are widely used for various purposes, including scanning and digitizing paper documents, extracting text from images, and converting physical documents into digital formats. They offer convenience and efficiency, allowing users to quickly capture and process text on the go, without the need for bulky scanning equipment or manual transcription. With advanced features such as multi-language support, text editing, and cloud storage integration, mobile OCR apps are valuable tools for individuals and businesses seeking to improve productivity, accessibility, and organization in a mobile-first world.

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2019. Microsoft added table OCR to mobile Excel



Microsoft has introduced a new functionality to the mobile Excel application, enabling users to capture an image of a printed table and convert it into an editable Excel spreadsheet. Currently, this feature is exclusively available for Android users, but it will soon be extended to iOS as well. It is important to note that this feature is limited to Office 365 users. However, it is primarily designed for simple tables, as more complex tables with merged cells may result in recognition errors.


2016. Dropbox launched a new way to scan documents with your phone



Dropbox has introduced a range of compelling new enterprise features. Among these, the most notable addition is a tool within its mobile application that empowers business users to scan documents and directly upload them to Dropbox. The objective is to seamlessly extend real-world activities and business development into Dropbox's services. One particularly intriguing aspect is the utilization of optical character recognition (OCR) technology, enabling the recognition of text within scanned documents. This functionality, if successful, enables content within the documents to be searchable within the app itself. Leveraging its core technology and efficient synchronization tools, Dropbox is focusing on building a distinctive product that enhances user experiences.


2013. Android for business: Google adds offline translater, Evernote - document scanner



Android introduces two new features that will undoubtedly appeal to business users. Firstly, the Google Translate app now offers an offline mode, which proves particularly useful when traveling abroad. Often, mobile internet access is unavailable in foreign countries, making it challenging to use the translator. However, users can now download necessary language databases and utilize Google's powerful translator offline. Secondly, Evernote for Android has introduced a specialized camera mode for documents. This mode automatically detects the edges of the document, eliminates shadows, and adjusts contrast to optimize the text for optical character recognition (OCR). It's important to note that currently, Evernote doesn't provide the OCR document in text format, but it enables users to search for the document based on its content. Additionally, in the free version of Evernote, document recognition may take several days.