How is this different from a generic PDF-to-text extractor?

Generic extractors flatten your PDF into raw text and lose the layout. Our purpose-built pipeline reads each page like a human reader would, then rebuilds it as real LaTeX — sections, equations, tables, lists and figures stay where they belong, page by page.

How accurately is the original PDF reproduced?

The goal is a near 1:1 rebuild of the source document. The same number of pages, the same headings, the same equations and tables — as an editable LaTeX project you can keep working on in Overleaf.

What do I receive after conversion?

An editable LaTeX project (main.tex plus assets), a compiled PDF render, and a side-by-side comparison of every page so you can verify the result before exporting.

Can I open the export in Overleaf?

Yes. The exported ZIP is structured so Overleaf compiles main.tex on the first try — no missing packages, no manual restructuring.

Scanned PDF to LaTeX

Convert scanned PDFs into reviewable LaTeX

For scans, photos, and older printouts, document-to-latex uses OCR-assisted reconstruction to help turn visible pages into editable LaTeX.

Upload a PDF View pricing Why document-to-latex

Use case

For scans, photos, and older documents

A scanned PDF contains images of pages rather than clean digital text. That makes conversion harder, especially when the pages include equations, columns, or handwritten annotations.

document-to-latex is designed to read the page image, infer structure, and rebuild a LaTeX version you can inspect and improve.

This workflow is useful for archived lecture notes, scanned exercise sheets, copied thesis chapters, or photographed technical pages.

Workflow

Scanned PDF workflow

01
Upload the scan or photographed PDF.
02
Let OCR and page analysis identify text, math, lists, and table regions.
03
Review pages where shadows, blur, or skew may affect recognition.
04
Correct symbols, equations, and headings in the generated source.
05
Export the LaTeX project once the review looks acceptable.

Benefits

Why scans need a specialized approach

Helps reconstruct documents that do not contain selectable text.

Supports math-heavy pages where generic OCR often loses structure.

Provides a compiled preview so recognition issues are visible.

Can help preserve page-level context for old academic material.

Creates editable source from documents that would otherwise need retyping.

Limitations

Scan quality matters

Blur, skew, low contrast, or cut-off margins can reduce accuracy.
Handwriting and unusual notation need more manual review than clean printed text.
Fine table borders and small superscripts may be missed or misread.
Use a high-resolution scan and review before relying on the output.

FAQ

Common questions

Does scanned PDF conversion use OCR?

Yes. OCR and visual page analysis help read the page before LaTeX is reconstructed.

Can handwritten notes be converted?

They can be attempted, especially when the writing is clear, but handwritten content needs careful review.

What scan quality is best?

Use a sharp, straight, high-contrast scan with full margins visible. Avoid shadows and heavy compression when possible.

Will math notation survive?

The converter aims to reconstruct math, but scanned symbols are more error-prone than digital text.

Can I fix OCR mistakes?

Yes. The output is editable LaTeX, so you can correct text, formulas, and structure after conversion.

Keep exploring

Continue with nearby converter pages, pricing, or the product overview.

Start with your own document

Convert, compare, then edit

Upload a PDF, inspect the generated LaTeX render beside the original, and review before submitting or sharing the result.

Start a conversion View pricing