- The Snipping Tool Windows 11 allows you to extract text from images using integrated OCR.
- Requires an updated version of the app, with features that speed up the process of copying and editing text.
- Microsoft has progressively improved these features, simplifying the experience for all users.
Digitalization is advancing by leaps and bounds And we increasingly find ourselves needing to extract information from images, scanned documents, screenshots, or even photos taken with our mobile phones. For those who work with text from different media, having a fast and reliable tool to convert that data into editable text becomes key to daily productivity. In this context, the Clipping Tool Windows 11 has been revamped and introduces features that greatly facilitate this type of task, simplifying the process for all types of users.
For a long time, The function of extracting text from an image seemed reserved for third-party tools or external solutionsHowever, Microsoft has made a strong commitment to integrating a powerful and easy-to-use optical character recognition (OCR) system into its native operating system in the Snipping Tool app. With the latest updates and improvements, extracting text from any image is now within reach of all Windows 11 users—even without the need for prior screenshots. If you want to know how to get the most out of this modern feature, here we explain it step by step, along with tips. Tricks and everything you need to know about the evolution of OCR in Windows 11.
What is the Snipping Tool in Windows 11 and what is it for?
cuts It has been one of the most popular utilities in the Windows ecosystem for years. Its main function has been to allow you to take screenshots of entire screens, windows, or selected areas, which you can then edit, share, print, or save according to your needs. However, with the arrival of Windows 11 and its recent updates, Snipping Tool has taken an evolutionary leap and now integrates OCR technology, opening the possibility of Extract text fragments directly from images naturally and quickly.
Optical character recognition does not only involve copying words printed on paper or digitized into a file. PDF. Now You can take any image that contains text—whether it's a photo, a slide, a web screenshot, or a scanned document—and get that text back as if you had written it yourself.This saves time, reduces transcription errors, and facilitates data processing for students, professionals, and anyone who regularly works with visual or photographic information.
The news that puts Cuts a step ahead
One of the main leaps of the Snipping application in Windows 11 is the incorporation of the function Text Actions o Text extractorThis new feature goes far beyond what was offered in previous versions, allowing immediate access to text embedded in images and, in the most recent versions, also enabling the extraction of text directly without taking a previous screenshot.
In the pilot updates for users of the Dev and Canary channels of Windows Insider, the presence of a text extraction button directly in the Snipping Toolbar. This way, after clicking it, you can manually select a specific area of the screen or image, and the program will identify the characters in that snippet, allowing you to extract just the fragment you need or the entire text at once.
In addition, the Snipping Tool menu incorporates advanced features such as "Remove line breaks» or the possibility of automatically copy text to clipboard without intermediate steps. This has a particular impact on editing processes and reusing information in other programs, ensuring greater agility and precision in the work.
Requirements: What do you need to use text extraction in Snipping Tool?
In order to use the Extracting text using OCR in the Snipping Tool Windows 11 requires an updated version of the application. According to various specialized sources, you must have installed at least the version 11.2308.33.0 To enjoy these features, you can check the version by opening Snipping Tool, accessing the Settings section (usually by tapping the gear icon), and scrolling to the bottom where the version information is displayed.
If you have a previous version, you just have to access the Microsoft Store and search for "Snipping Tool" to update the app. If you're using a special build of Windows 11 (such as those in the Dev or Canary channels), you may receive early testing of cutting-edge features, such as the direct text extractor without requiring pre-fetching.
How to extract text from an image with Snipping Tool? Step-by-step guide
The procedure for Get text from any image or area of the screen in Windows 11 It varies slightly depending on the version of Clippings you have installed and the update channel your computer is on. Let's look at both options:
In current versions of Snipping Tools (accessible from Stable and Microsoft Store):
- Open the Snipping Tool app from the start menu or using the shortcut Windows + Shift + S to start a new capture.
- Select the area of the screen or open the image from which you want to extract the text.
- At the bottom of the interface, locate and press the button Text Actions.
- highlight the text that you want to copy with the cursor or select Copy all text if you want to extract it in full.
- The text will remain copied to clipboard and you can paste it into a word processor, email, or any other application using Ctrl + V.
In experimental builds (What's new in Dev and Canary):
- The Snipping Toolbar will directly display a text extractor button.
- When you press it, you manually select the region you want to scan for text, just as you would with a normal snip.
- You have the option to manually copy the highlighted text or use the function Copy all text at once.
- You also have additional features such as removing line breaks or automatically copying text to the clipboard.
This duality allows any user, whether on the stable branch or the test versions, to take advantage of the OCR feature and customize the experience based on their needs at any given time.
Advantages of using OCR integrated into the Snipping Tool
The integration of Optical character recognition within Clippings It provides numerous benefits that simplify both the work and daily life of users:
- Agility and time savings: Skip manual transcription and get instant results in one or two clicks.
- Immediate release: The extracted text can be pasted and modified in any program, from Become from Notes to spreadsheets to emails.
- Greater privacy: The tool includes the function to automatically hide personal or sensitive data (emails, telephones, etc.), covering them with black stripes to ensure confidentiality.
- Avoid third-party software: No need to install apps additional or depend on external solutions, keeping your equipment safer and lighter.
In front of others OS (such as macOS, iOS o Android) that already contemplate similar scenarios, the solution proposed by Microsoft is equivalent and even more complete in terms of customization and usability.
What other programs allow you to extract text from images in Windows?
In addition to the Clippings app, Windows 11 adds OCR capabilities to other built-in tools:
- PhotosSince late last year, the Photos app has also been able to extract text directly from images without any intermediate capture.
- power toys: This set of advanced utilities from Microsoft includes "Text Extractor", a feature aimed at advanced users or those looking to automate processes and customize keyboard shortcuts.
Of course, there are dozens of third-party applications such as OneNote, ABBYY FineReader, Adobe Acrobat, Google Keep or online services. However, The advantage of using Snipping Tools is its native integration, ease of use, and constant updates from Microsoft., which reduces compatibility risks and vulnerabilities.
Limitations and aspects to take into account
Despite the power and versatility of the OCR built into Snipping Tool and other Windows 11 apps, there are a few factors to consider:
- The accuracy of recognition It depends on the quality of the image, the sharpness of the text, the contrast and the language used.
- Some special characters, handwritten characters, or highly decorative fonts may not be recognized correctly.
- More advanced features may take a while to reach all users, as Microsoft gradually releases them based on feedback received in the Insider Program.
- It's recommended that you keep both Windows 11 and the Snipping app constantly updated to enjoy the latest updates and security patches.
Still, for most home or professional users, Snipping Tool's OCR functionality more than covers everyday needs and is positioned as one of the most convenient and secure alternatives for extracting text from images.
Tips, tricks and practical tools
To get the most out of text extraction in Windows 11, you can follow these recommendations:
- Update the Snipping app frequently from the Microsoft Store. Improvements and fixes are coming regularly.
- If you need to copy text from multiple images, use the "copy all text" mode for speed.
- You can combine Clippings with other applications like Word, Excel, or PDF editors to assemble robust documents from scattered images.
- Protecting personal data is essential: review any extracted images or text before sharing to avoid disclosing sensitive information.
- Try the line break removal feature if you're pasting text into a single line or table, making it easier to edit later.
These small details help streamline your daily tasks and prevent common document management errors.
The ability to extract text directly from images, documents, and screenshots in Windows 11 has become a must-have feature for both professionals and individuals.Thanks to the constant improvement and integration of OCR into the Snipping Tool and other native apps, it's now much easier to reuse visual information, digitize notes, quickly process data, and securely share editable content. Keeping your system up-to-date and familiar with all the options Snipping Tool offers will ensure you can take full advantage of these features in your daily work.
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