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Advanced OCR and scanned-document guide

Understand scanned PDF, photo, and handwriting boundaries before relying on OCR-derived redaction.

Updated 31 May 20266 min readAuthor: Redactorr Support Team · [email protected]Last reviewed: May 2026

Outcome

You can decide whether to use the current scanned/photo boundary article, convert the document, or wait for broader OCR support.

Your progress

Mark each step as you complete it. This is saved only in this browser.

0 / 3 steps complete

Before you start

Check whether the PDF text is selectable before assuming OCR is needed.
Use born-digital source files when available.
Do not rely on handwriting redaction as supported.

Visual frame

Review asset

Advanced OCR and scanned-document storyboard

Synthetic OCR frame only. It keeps scanned printed PDFs and photos in a preview/beta boundary and does not treat handwriting as supported.

SourceClassify first
OCRPreview boundary
ReviewRequired

Synthetic frame

Source check

Do not assume OCR is needed.

Selectable textBorn-digital route
Printed scanPreview route
HandwritingUnsupported
The original digital file is usually the safer starting point.

Advanced OCR and scanned-document guide boundary frame

Reference frame for a deferred or gated topic. It routes users to current supported workflows and safe escalation.

BoundaryWhat is safe to rely on right now.
RouteThe current supported workflow or article to use instead.
EscalateWhat support can receive without private material.

Guided steps

Follow the task, then check the result.

Classify the document source

Decide whether the file is born-digital, scanned printed text, a photographed printed document, or handwriting.

Success check: The document type is clear enough to choose the next route.

Use the current boundary route

For scanned, photo, or handwriting questions, start with the existing scanned/photo/handwriting support article instead of assuming full support.

Success check: You are following the current capability boundary.

Verify OCR-derived output carefully

If OCR preview is available, inspect both detected text and visual output before sharing. Poor image quality can change what is visible to detection.

Success check: You know whether the output is safe to use or needs a different source file.

Branch questions

Completion check

The document was classified as born-digital, scanned, photo, or handwriting.
Handwriting was not treated as supported.
Any OCR-derived output was inspected before sharing.

Support boundary

Support can use by default

  • Article slug and selected boundary question.
  • Screen, plan, or workflow name if visible.
  • Browser, viewport, and account-visible state.
  • Synthetic example or already-redacted sample only after review.
  • Intent ID
  • Article slug
  • App route

Requires your consent

  • User-written description
  • Email address
  • Explicit attachment
  • Redacted sample
  • Support bundle previewed to the user

Not collected by default

  • Raw original document text
  • Full local file paths
  • Pasted private content
  • Unmasked screenshots
  • Replay capture

Safe support summary

Copy a scrubbed handoff.

Redactorr KB support summary

Article: /knowledge-base/advanced-ocr-scanned-documents
Selected issue: A preview path is visible but the result is unusable.
Playbook progress: 0/3 steps marked complete

Safe context to include:
- Article slug and selected boundary question.
- Screen, plan, or workflow name if visible.
- Browser, viewport, and account-visible state.
- Synthetic example or already-redacted sample only after review.
- Intent ID
- Article slug
- App route

Requires explicit consent:
- User-written description
- Email address
- Explicit attachment
- Redacted sample
- Support bundle previewed to the user

Do not include by default:
- Raw original document text
- Full local file paths
- Pasted private content
- Unmasked screenshots
- Replay capture

User note:
- Describe the step and symptom without pasting raw document text, secrets, files, or restoration material.

Article details

Advanced OCR and scanned-document guide

Understand scanned PDF, photo, and handwriting boundaries before relying on OCR-derived redaction.

Current Boundary

Born-digital formats are the safest supported path. Scanned printed PDFs and direct photos are beta or preview paths with measured gates, while handwriting remains a product direction and should not be treated as supported.

Outcome

You can decide whether to use the current scanned/photo boundary article, convert the document, or wait for broader OCR support.

Before You Start

  • Check whether the PDF text is selectable before assuming OCR is needed.
  • Use born-digital source files when available.
  • Do not rely on handwriting redaction as supported.

1. Classify the document source

Decide whether the file is born-digital, scanned printed text, a photographed printed document, or handwriting.

Check before you continue: The document type is clear enough to choose the next route.

2. Use the current boundary route

For scanned, photo, or handwriting questions, start with the existing scanned/photo/handwriting support article instead of assuming full support.

Check before you continue: You are following the current capability boundary.

3. Verify OCR-derived output carefully

If OCR preview is available, inspect both detected text and visual output before sharing. Poor image quality can change what is visible to detection.

Check before you continue: You know whether the output is safe to use or needs a different source file.

Completion Check

  • The document was classified as born-digital, scanned, photo, or handwriting.
  • Handwriting was not treated as supported.
  • Any OCR-derived output was inspected before sharing.

Safe Examples

  • A synthetic scanned invoice with fake names and account numbers.
  • A photo-quality test file that contains no real personal data.

If You Need Support

Contact support when:

  • A preview path is visible but the result is unusable.
  • A scanned or photo file appears to leak accepted redactions after export.

Include only support-safe context:

  • Article slug and selected boundary question.
  • Screen, plan, or workflow name if visible.
  • Browser, viewport, and account-visible state.
  • Synthetic example or already-redacted sample only after review.

Still stuck?

Copy a safe article handoff.

Start support with the article, the issue, and safe context. Raw document text, files, restoration material, and unredacted screenshots stay out unless you explicitly choose otherwise.

Support can start here
  • Article slug
  • Selected issue
  • Screen name
  • Action name
Redactorr support case

Source: Article playbook: advanced-ocr-scanned-documents
Route: /knowledge-base/advanced-ocr-scanned-documents
Selected issue: A preview path is visible but the result is unusable.

Safe context:
- Article slug and selected boundary question.
- Screen, plan, or workflow name if visible.
- Browser, viewport, and account-visible state.
- Synthetic example or already-redacted sample only after review.
- Article slug
- Selected issue
- Screen name or article section
- Action name

Only include with explicit consent:
- User-written description
- Email address
- Explicit attachment
- Redacted sample
- Support bundle previewed to the user

Do not include by default:
- Raw original document text
- Full local file paths
- Pasted private content
- Unmasked screenshots
- Replay capture
- Hidden diagnostic uploads

User note:
- Describe what you tried and what happened. Do not paste raw document text, secrets, files, restoration material, or unredacted screenshots.

Support case builder

One case format, wherever you start.

This is the same support case shape used by diagnostics and article handoffs.

Safe to include
  • Article slug and selected boundary question.
  • Screen, plan, or workflow name if visible.
  • Browser, viewport, and account-visible state.
  • Synthetic example or already-redacted sample only after review.
  • Article slug
  • Selected issue
Consent boundary

Private material belongs behind an explicit consent step, not in the initial case.

6 default exclusions

Before you copy0/4 ready
Open safe support guide