Windows 11: Copy Text from Images with Snipping Tool Text Actions
Copy text from images with Snipping Tool's text action. Select a rectangular area with Win+Shift+S and open the capture from the notification or Snipping Tool history. Paste it into Notepad and visually check that the characters, line breaks, and numbers match the original image.
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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.
Purpose and prerequisites
Copy text from images with Snipping Tool's text action. Select a rectangular area with Win+Shift+S and open the capture from the notification or Snipping Tool history. Paste it into Notepad and visually check that the characters, line breaks, and numbers match the original image.
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.
Configure the feature
Select a rectangular area with Win+Shift+S and open the capture from the notification or Snipping Tool history.
- Select a rectangular area with Win+Shift+S and open capture from notification or Snipping Tool history
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.
- 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 number/email if necessary
- Paste it into Notepad and visually check that the characters, line breaks, and numbers match the original image.
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
Is it possible to completely reproduce the table column arrangement?
The copy result is character information, and reproduction of the original column width and cell structure is not guaranteed. Please check the rows and columns after pasting.
Can I edit the copied text?
Text pasted into Notepad or document apps can be edited. This is different from the feature that directly changes the text on the image itself.
Official sources and verification date
Sources checked: . Check the official sources below for changes to supported systems, plans and menus.