Short answer
Try to select a sentence in the PDF. If you cannot, install OCR and apply it to the scan. Search for one known phrase, then compare names, numbers, and quotations with the page image.
When to use this method
Use this method when a PDF page is a picture of text instead of selectable text. OCR adds searchable text for research retrieval.
Before you start
Open one page and try to select a sentence. OCR turns letters in an image into searchable text. Install the optional OCR component from Settings > Install OCR, or choose Install OCR and Apply on a scanned PDF. It supports eight text languages and can detect page orientation and writing system.
Install and verify optional OCR
Check whether OCR is needed
Try to select one sentence or search for a phrase visible on the page. If neither works, the page likely needs OCR.
Install OCR
Open Settings > Install OCR, or choose Install OCR and Apply on the scanned PDF. Approve the download. You should see progress followed by a ready state. If it fails, retry or repair the component.
Choose the text language
Choose the main language of the selected document, not the language of the app's interface. The available text languages are Simplified Chinese, English, French, German, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, and Turkish. Writing-system detection helps orient the text but does not replace this language choice.
Apply OCR
Start OCR and let the source finish. You should see a completed state. If it is canceled or fails, the other project features remain available and you can retry later.
Check the recognized text
Search for one phrase you can see on the page. You should find that page. Compare names, dates, symbols, tables, and quotations with the image before using them.
OCR installation details
The optional installation downloads about 212 MB and includes the OCR engine, eight text-language models, and the orientation and script model. It installs inside CiteFlow's data folder, verifies the downloaded files, and does not require administrator rights or changes to the Windows PATH.
OCR evidence risks
- Running OCR on a PDF that already has reliable text
- Leaving the wrong document language selected
- Accepting names or numbers without visual comparison
- Discarding the source page image
Checkpoint: Recognition checks
- Verify the page is image-only.
- Confirm the managed component and the selected document language.
- Search one known phrase after OCR.
- Compare every quoted or cited value with the scan.
CiteFlow
Install the optional OCR component, make image-only pages searchable locally and verify recognized text against the scan.