If you’d like to know what ABBYY FineReader PDF can do to make your workflow silky smooth, then read on (MUO readers can get an exclusive 10% discount code, too!).
What Is ABBYY FineReader PDF?
ABBYY FineReader PDF is an artificial intelligence-based optical character recognition (OCR) application (currently on its 15th version). This means it is able to scan text-based documents and convert them into an editable document on your computer.
So, for example, if you have an online form to fill in and it comes in PNG format, ABBYY FineReader PDF can convert that form into a document that you can fill in, sign, save, and send back. Even if that form is a PDF file, you can use FineReader PDF to convert it to an editable document and make any changes required.
Using OCR technology, you can also scan paper documents and then create a fully editable PDF that you can complete via your computer. In short (and according to ABBYY) with FineReader PDF you can “digitize, retrieve, edit, protect, share, and collaborate on all kinds of documents in the same workflow.”
You can try ABBYY FineReader PDF 15 for free. The trial lasts for seven days and offers full functionality across the FineReader suite. Mac users should go here to try FineReader PDF 15 for their Apple device.
Once your trial runs out, you’ll need to buy a FineReader PDF 15 license. Unlike Adobe’s Acrobat software, you make a single payment of $199.00. There is no subscription fee, so you can continue to use the app for as long as you need it.
How Can ABBYY FineReader PDF Help Improve Workflow?
FineReader PDF can help to improve your workflow in several ways. Here are just a few of them.
1. Organize and Edit PDFs
FineReader PDF 15 has multiple features available that allow you to edit and organize PDF files.
You can view, navigate, and organize your PDFs. This means you can see comments across the PDF library, rearrange or split multiple-page PDF files, and even merge separate PDF files into one new file.
You can retrieve and reuse any information from a PDF by simply copying and pasting it into a new PDF document.
Obviously, you can also edit existing PDF files, which allows you to move textboxes or images around the document page. This goes for editing scanned documents as easily as you would a document you have created digitally.
2. Collaborate on PDFs
One important factor of workflow is collaboration. If collaboration isn’t a smooth, easy process, then your workflow and that of your collaborators will suffer. Fortunately, FineReader PDF has plenty of collaboration tools at your disposal.
You can mark up and annotate the PDF with notes, allowing seamless, in-document communication with collaborators. You can even add a status to the comment, allowing collaborators to see what stage of the process you have reached.
You can then comment on these markups and notes and discuss ideas within the document, so there is no need for separate emails.
FineReader also allows you to send documents for signature, even from multiple collaborators. This expedites decision-making and prevents any hold-ups during the document creation process.
3. Protect Your PDF Files
If your information fell into the wrong hands, then this could cause significant problems further down the line, especially if a document contains sensitive information.
With this in mind, you can ensure document security by protecting your PDF using multiple methods.
For example, you can redact sensitive information. So, if a collaborator doesn’t need to see a specific piece of information, you can use the redaction tool to blank out any sensitive details.
You can also remove all hidden data that you might share by mistake. So, you can remove any comments, attachments, or anything else associated with the document, upon completion, securing any data they previously held.
You can even add password protection, so the only person who can access the document is the intended recipient.
4. Create and Convert PDF Files
Creating a PDF in FineReader is always going to be beneficial for your workflow, given the suite of features at your disposal.
The app can create a PDF directly from a wide range of file formats, with PDF/A-1 through A-3 receiving full support, along with PDF/UA, which ensures information is easily accessible even when using assistive software.
If you would rather work in Word or Excel, for example, you can. FineReader 15 allows you to convert a pdf into many formats. Then you can convert it back to a PDF again and add layers of security to the document, or edit it with images and tables.
5. Digitize Paper Documents Using OCR
Let’s face it, paper documentation does nothing for workflow. If anything, it is less convenient than digital documents. Fortunately, using OCR software, FineReader 15 allows you to create a digital document from a paper one, just by scanning it.
Once you have a digital version of the document, you are free to edit it in exactly the same way as you would a document you created digitally (i.e. it wasn’t initially on paper).
With this degree of flexibility, your workflow will improve as you can place all documents in one folder for easy access. This beats using multiple physical filing systems and risk losing paper documentation.
6. Scan With Your Smartphone
You don’t even need a large, inconvenient, flatbed scanner to convert paper documents into digital files. Instead, you can use your smartphone camera along with the FineReader 15 mobile app.
This means you can easily scan a document, upload it to your computer or send it via email, and start working on it straight away. Once you have this mobile scan image, you can convert it using OCR to a digital document and start editing it like any other PDF.
Now You Know How FineReader PDF Improves Your Workflow
ABBYY FineReader PDF is an excellent tool for creating and managing your PDF library. Given it has a one-off fee, rather than a subscription, that immediately makes it an attractive option over competitors such as Adobe Acrobat (which costs $19.99 per month).
With so much functionality at your fingertips, your PDF library has never had it so good.
