How to Copy on PDF With Copy Disabled

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Have you ever encountered a PDF where the copy feature is disabled? This can be frustrating, especially if you need to copy some important information. However, there are ways to get around this problem. In this blog post, we will discuss different methods on how to copy on PDF with copy disabled.

Copying text from PDF files that have copy disabled is not an act of piracy, but rather a necessity. For example, when you come across a text that requires editing or repurposing for a website, you might want to extract that text from the PDF. But the problem is that those files have the copy feature disabled to avoid content pilfering. We get it, in the digital age, protecting Intellectual Property (IP) is vital. But, what if you are not inspecting the text but want to cite the information? What if you need to quote something from the document? Or what if you are simply reviewing some research documents?

Video Tutorial:

What’s Needed

Before we begin, there are some tools required to copy on PDF with copy disabled. These tools, which are widely available on the internet, include:

  • Adobe Acrobat Pro DC
  • Google Docs
  • Microsoft Word
  • PDF Copy & Paste

These tools have different ways of handling PDF files with copy disabled. You’ll have to choose the one that suits your needs and preferences.

What Requires Your Focus?

The most important thing in copying text from PDF files with copy disabled is accuracy. You should ensure that there are no errors in your final document. Focus on the following things:

  • The layout of the text copied
  • Formatting to match the original document
  • Accuracy in text copied
  • Saving the final document in the right format and folder

Consistency is key in these aspects as well. If you are copying and pasting different pieces of text into one document, make sure they all match in their layout and formatting.

Different Methods to Copy on PDF With Copy Disabled

In this section, we will discuss different methods that can be used to copy on PDF with copy disabled.

Method 1: Adobe Acrobat Pro DC

Adobe Acrobat Pro DC is one of the most popular methods to copy on PDF with copy disabled. Follow the steps below:

  1. Open the PDF document in Adobe Acrobat Pro DC.
  2. Click on the Selection Tool button in the toolbar.
  3. Select the text that you want to copy.
  4. Right-click on the text and choose "Export Selection As" and choose "Microsoft Word" as the format.
  5. Save the file on your computer.
  6. Open the exported Microsoft Word document and you can then copy the text from the file.

Pros:

  • The formatting of the text is preserved.
  • You can select the specific text to copy.

Cons:

  • It requires Adobe Acrobat Pro DC software.
  • The process can be time-consuming.

Method 2: Google Docs

You can also use Google Docs to copy on PDF with copy disabled. Here’s how:

  1. Open Google Docs in your browser.
  2. Click on "File" in the top menu and select "Open."
  3. Upload the PDF document you want to copy from.
  4. The PDF file will be displayed in Google Docs; select all the text you want to copy and paste it into a new Google Doc.
  5. The text will now be available for copying in the Google Doc.

Pros:

  • It’s free.
  • You don’t need any special software.
  • The process is fast.

Cons:

  • The formatting might not be preserved as accurately as in Adobe Acrobat Pro DC.

Method 3: Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word can also be used to copy text from a PDF file with copy disabled. Here’s how:

  1. Open Microsoft Word.
  2. Click on "File" in the top menu, select "Open," then select the PDF file you want to copy from.
  3. Select the text you want to copy.
  4. Press "Control+C" or right-click and click "Copy."
  5. The text can now be pasted into any other document or program.

Pros:

  • Formatting can be preserved.
  • It’s relatively fast and simple.

Cons:

  • It may not work with some PDF files.
  • If the file is password protected, you might be unable to open it.

Method 4: PDF Copy & Paste

If the above methods don’t work for you, PDF Copy & Paste is another option to copy on PDF with copy disabled:

  1. Install PDF Copy & Paste software.
  2. Open the PDF document in the software.
  3. Select the text you want to copy.
  4. Press the "Copy" button in the upper left corner.
  5. Paste the copied text to any other document or program.

Pros:

  • It’s a specialized software designed specifically to copy text from PDF files.

Cons:

  • It’s not free.
  • The formatting may not be preserved accurately.

Why Can’t I Copy on PDF With Copy Disabled?

There are several reasons why you cannot copy on PDF with copy disabled:

  1. PDF files with copy disabled are often password-protected or encrypted. You will need a password to unlock them or an encryption key to decrypt them.
  2. The copy-disabled feature is designed to protect the content of the PDF file from being copied without permission.
  3. The type of PDF reader or software you are using does not allow copying of text from a PDF file with the feature disabled.

The best way to fix these issues is to use one of the above methods to copy text from the PDF file. If the password is required to unlock it, you need to contact the owner of the file or use decryption software to get the encryption key.

Implications and Recommendations

Copying text from PDF files with copy disabled is an inevitable task in some instances. To preserve the originality of the content and the accuracy of the final document, it is best to use professional software such as Adobe Acrobat Pro DC or dedicated copying software like PDF Copy & Paste.

The recommendation is to use Google Docs or Microsoft Word only if you do not have these specialized tools as they may not preserve the formatting as accurately as the specialized tools and the possibility of errors is higher.

5 FAQs about Copy on PDF With Copy Disabled

Q: Can I copy images from a PDF file with copy disabled?

A: No, the above methods are for copying text only. To copy images, you need to use a specialized image editor.

Q: Can I copy some parts of the text and not others?

A: Yes, all above methods allow you to select specific parts of the text you want to copy.

Q: What do I do if Adobe Acrobat Pro DC does not work for me?

A: You can try any of the other methods listed above or invest in a specialized PDF manager such as Foxit PDF Editor.

Q: Is it ethical to copy text from PDF files with copy disabled?

A: Yes, as long as you are not using the copied text for illegal activities. Copying the text for research or citation purposes is ethical.

Q: How can I ensure the accuracy of the copied text?

A: You can use the "Compare Documents" feature in Adobe Acrobat Pro DC, which compares the copied text with the original document and highlights any differences.

In Conclusion

Copying text from PDF files with copy disabled can be frustrating, but there are ways to get around it. The best method depends on your individual needs and preferences, but Adobe Acrobat Pro DC is the most popular method for its accuracy and range of features. Google Docs and Microsoft Word are other options if you don’t have specialized tools. Whichever method you choose, ensure accuracy, formatting, and consistency in your final document.