Can't copy text from a pdf file

Question

I am using foxit PDF reader to view my text book. I would like to copy the text from the pdf file into a word document but it won't let me. I can select the text fine but the option to copy text is not available. I can copy text from other documents but not some. Is there a way to get around this protection in windows?

Answer 1

The pdf file has probably been locked against copying text. Below are two ways to unlock it:

1. If the pdf has not been locked against printing, you can print it to a virtual pdf printer to create an unlocked file. See this:
   "Remove Password and Unlock Protected PDF Which Allowed To Be Printed Without Knowing Secret".
2. If the print function has been locked out, see this :
   "Remove Restrictions and Decrypt Password Protected PDF Files With PDF Unlocker".

Answer 2

I have a workaround explained here:

Summary: you should upload the PDF file to Google Docs and let it convert it to its own editable format. Alternatively, if the file is too large, you can first save it to an image and then upload the image to Google Docs, which will do the OCR.