How to Spell Check a PDF

PDFs aren’t built for live editing, but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with mistakes. Typed, scanned, or protected, we’ll show you how to catch and fix spelling errors step by step.

Methods to Spell Check a PDF File

There’s no built-in spell checker in most PDF readers, but there are still a few good ways to check spelling in your document.

Way 1: Convert the PDF to Editable Text

• Go to Edit PDF
• Upload your PDF
• If the text is selectable, copy and paste it into a word processor like Google Docs or Word
• Run a standard spell check in your editor
• Return to Smallpdf to edit any errors directly in the file

This method works best if your PDF is text-based and not scanned.

Way 2: Use OCR to Convert a Scanned PDF to Text

• If your PDF is scanned, use PDF OCR
• Upload your file and convert it to a searchable text format
• Open the result in a text editor or word processor
• Spell check as usual, then re-import to edit if needed

This is how to spell check a PDF document when the content isn’t selectable.

Way 3: Manually Edit Inside the PDF

• Open the file in Edit PDF
• Select the Text tool
• Click on any typo and correct it directly
• Download your file when done

This doesn’t run an automatic spell check, but it’s fast for one-off fixes.

What to Do if You Need to Correct Text Inside a Scanned PDF

Scanned PDFs are images, so you can’t correct text unless you convert it first. Here’s how: 1. Upload the file to PDF OCR 2. Convert it to editable text 3. Copy the text into a document with a spell checker 4. Make your edits 5. Re-import or use the Edit PDF feature to fix the original file

This is the most reliable way to spell check a PDF that came from a scan.

Can You Automatically Spell Check a PDF?

Not directly. Most PDF viewers don’t offer built-in spelling tools. To spell check PDF files automatically, you’ll need to:

• Copy the text into Word, Google Docs, or similar
• Use those tools’ spell checkers
• Return to your PDF editor to apply any changes

This may sound like extra work, but it’s the most accurate way to catch spelling mistakes.

How to Fix Spelling Errors in a PDF You Can’t Edit?

If the file is locked, scanned, or protected, here’s what you can do:

• Unlock it using Unlock PDF
• Use PDF OCR to convert scanned pages into editable text
• Recreate the section using the Text tool in Edit PDF
• Cover the error with a white shape and retype over it

While you can’t always run a spell check inside a PDF, you can always work around restrictions with the right tools.

FAQs

1. Can you check grammar errors in PDF?

Not natively. For grammar checks, paste your text into a grammar-checking tool like Grammarly or Word. Then, apply any corrections manually in your PDF.

2. Can I run spell check inside a PDF reader?

No. PDF readers like Smallpdf or Adobe don’t have built-in spell check. You’ll need to use an external editor for that step.

3. How do I spell check a PDF without converting it to another format?

You can’t run a full spell check without conversion, but you can manually edit errors inside the PDF using Edit PDF.

4. Is there a way to spell check a scanned PDF?

Yes, with OCR. Use PDF OCR to convert the scanned file to editable text, then spell check that version.

5. Does spell checking a PDF change its formatting or layout?

Not if you’re careful. Copying and pasting into a spell checker won’t touch your layout. Edits inside the PDF may shift text if not aligned properly.