DEFINITION
The technique that turns an image of text (a scan, a photo) into text you can search and copy. Clivio has no separate OCR engine. Scans and photos are read directly by the AI model, which transcribes all of their text for search. In the PDF editor (Pro), “Clean up scan” also adds a text layer to the file.
How OCR works
OCR looks at the shapes in an image, recognizes letters and words, and writes them out as text. A classic OCR engine works line by line and does well on clean, printed pages. Handwriting, low light, creases and unusual layouts are where errors creep in: a 0 read as an O, or an amount split across two lines.
The result is often saved as a hidden text layer under the image. The PDF still looks like the scan, but its words can be selected and searched.
How Clivio reads scans and photos
Clivio has no separate OCR step. A scan or a photo is read by the same AI model as any other document, which transcribes all of its text and picks out the date, the amount and the sender. Search then covers the full text of your documents, scans included.
With Pro, “Clean up scan” in the PDF editor also adds a text layer to the file itself, which helps when you send it on to someone else.
Getting a scan that reads well
Good light, a flat page and the whole sheet in the frame matter more than the phone. Clivio’s phone scanner detects the edges of the page, lets you adjust the crop, takes up to 20 pages into a single PDF and offers four filters: original, enhanced, grayscale, and black and white. Our guide to scanning documents with your phone goes further.
Frequently asked questions
Is a scanned invoice an e-invoice?
No. In France, an e-invoice is a structured file such as Factur-X, UBL or CII, sent through an accredited platform. A scan is a copy of a paper invoice, even once its text has been recognized.
Can OCR read handwriting?
Sometimes, with mixed results. Clear block letters usually come through, while joined-up handwriting often produces errors. Always check names, dates and amounts against the original.