Windows 11: Copy Text from Images with Snipping Tool Text Actions

Who this guide is for and what to prepare

• Users who want to streamline daily operations with Windows 11
• Users who want to try out the feature in a way that allows them to restore the settings.

What you need

• Save the file you are working on and try it with test data that does not include personal information.
• OCR is processed on the device, but the recognition results may be incorrect. Check the contract number, amount, and code against the original image, and visually check the image even after redaction.

Choose a practical workflow

Consider taking product names and quantities from an image. Display it large enough to inspect the text first. Before putting OCR output into a spreadsheet, inspect line breaks and order in Notepad. Separate successful recognition from numerical accuracy and match headings, row counts and units against the source.

Configure the feature

1. Select a rectangular area with Win+Shift+S and open capture from notification or Snipping Tool history

Worked example: extract selected columns from an image table

1. Capture a heading and a few rows with Snipping Tool. If needed columns are far apart, trial one column at a time.
2. Open Text actions, inspect recognized text and copy it. When using only a selection, check that the intended range is selected.
3. Paste into Notepad and compare the heading, row order and final row with the source image. If column boundaries are lost, return to separate column captures.
4. Correct numbers and names before moving to a spreadsheet. Include units from the image and interpret separators such as commas and decimal points in the source context.

Try it out and see the results

Select [Text Actions] at the top, and then drag and copy the necessary characters after recognition, or select [Copy All Text]. Use quick redaction of phone numbers/emails if necessary. Paste it into Notepad and visually check that the characters, line breaks, and numbers match the original image.

Take a rectangular photo of the printed text, use [Text Action] to copy only the necessary range, and paste it into Notepad. Match the original text character by character. After quick redaction, enlarge the saved image and check whether the phone number or email has actually been hidden.

If you want to extract the address or product number, enlarge the original screen to a size that allows you to clearly read the text, and then cut it out. Copy it with a text action and paste it into Notepad to check the line order and numbers. Pay special attention to 0s and O's, 1's and L's, hyphens and full-width symbols that look similar, and avoid inputting amounts and codes directly into another system.

Match extracted columns and rows

Before extracting a whole table, capture a heading and one row and copy it with Text actions. Paste into Notepad and check reading order and separators. If columns become mixed, capture each column separately to reduce later cleanup.

Count source rows before reusing a table. If a row is missing, determine whether a blank was skipped or faint text was not detected. A neatly formatted spreadsheet can conceal extraction errors, so compare before styling. Keep your annotations distinct from text actually present in the source.

Verify unclear characters and numbers at the source

Compare zero and O, one and I, minus signs, decimal points and dates against the original image. Extracting many characters does not guarantee accuracy. Check numeric totals and digit counts where relevant and do not guess unreadable characters.

Enlarging a low-resolution image cannot reliably recover missing strokes or decimal points. Consult the original PDF, webpage or provider document for unclear passages. Repeated recognition and choosing the most frequent result does not verify handwriting or angled text. Mark uncertain content and obtain it from the original.

Inspect redacted images and copied destinations

Text copying and concealing information in an image are separate tasks. Save and reopen the edited image before sharing and check every private region. Do not assume undetected handwriting or information in a diagram was removed automatically.

Verify extracted email addresses and URLs before use. Similar-character errors can change a recipient or destination. Compare domains and punctuation with the image before sending mail or opening a link. When sharing text without private details, inspect both the extracted text and edited image for remaining information.

Decide whether the extracted result is ready to use

Turn it off and restore the previous setup

Correct any misrecognized parts at the pasting destination, and delete unnecessary captures from Snipping Tool and the screenshot save destination.

Limitations and requirements

• OCR is processed on the device, but the recognition results may be incorrect. Check the contract number, amount, and code against the original image, and visually check the image even after redaction.
• If the settings are fixed on an organization-managed PC, check with the administrator instead of using unofficial methods to circumvent the policy.

Frequently asked questions

Sources and verification date

Sources checked: 2026-10-13. These sources support the specifications, procedures or prices discussed here. Check each source for applicable conditions and current information.

• Use Snipping Tool to capture screenshots ↗

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