PDF Text Layer Checker

Local Processing (Offline Capable)

Detect whether a PDF has a searchable text layer, page by page. Scans usually have none — check before choosing OCR.

Local processing: your file is not uploaded to us · ≤ 10 MB per fileLocal tools: free & unlimited, no account needed · Cloud tools require a free account (3 tasks per day)

How this tool works (no sign-up needed)

  1. Upload your file above. Each tool shows whether it runs Local (in your browser) or Cloud (encrypted servers).
  2. Adjust options, then click the Run / Convert / Process button.
  3. Wait for progress, then download the result. Use Next tools to continue.

If buttons are not visible, enable JavaScript — the interactive workspace loads in your browser.

pdflean://pdf-text-layerLOCAL

Free · Local processingYour file stays in your browser — nothing is uploaded

Drag files here, or click to browse

Supports application/pdf

Local — your file is processed in your browser and not uploaded to us. No account needed.

What is it?PDF Text Layer Checker is a PDFLean AI document tool: Detect whether a PDF has a searchable text layer, page by page.

TL;DR: Detect whether a PDF has a searchable text layer, page by page. Processing runs entirely in your browser — your file is never uploaded; only detects extractable characters without evaluating recognition accuracy.

About this tool

Designed for the moment you need a document changed quickly and privately. Detect whether a PDF has a searchable text layer, page by page. Scans usually have none — check before choosing OCR. Processing runs locally in your browser's memory — the document is never transmitted, and closing the tab clears it completely. The workflow is deliberately short: load the file, choose the options on the page, run the operation, and save the result. Every choice is applied before the file is written, so re-running with different settings takes seconds. Practical limits apply (see the on-page limits); it pairs well with the related tools linked beside this page when one step is not the whole job. Key facts — Processing: runs entirely in your browser, client-side; Access: free with no account required; File limits: see the on-page limits; Privacy: the file never leaves the device.

How to use

1

Choose a PDF file

2

Click "Inspect"

3

Review the extractable character count and empty pages

FAQ

Will my file be uploaded?

No. Processing runs entirely in your browser — your file is never uploaded, and closing the page clears it immediately.

Are there any limits?

Only detects extractable characters; does not evaluate recognition accuracy.

Does it recognize text in scanned pages?

No. This tool only checks whether pages already have an extractable text layer; run scanned files through Local OCR first.

Can I process multiple files in bulk?

A single tool page handles one task at a time; for bulk work use the Batch Processing workflow and add this tool as a step to run a whole set at once.

Is the processed file still editable?

The result is exported as a JSON report listing pages without a text layer — not document content.