How to Use Snipping Tool’s Text Actions in Windows 11
Text Actions in Snipping Tool lets you copy editable text directly from any screenshot or image on Windows 11. Built into Snipping Tool since version 22H2, this feature reads text from photos and PDFs so you do not have to type out long paragraphs by hand.
The tool uses Optical Character Recognition (OCR), a built-in technology that turns pictures of words into real text your computer understands. You can pull information from memes, receipts, or error messages in seconds and paste it anywhere you want.
Open Snipping Tool and take a screenshot. Click Text Actions, then Copy all text or select specific text and choose Copy text. The extracted text is added to your clipboard, ready to paste elsewhere.
Why use Text Actions?
Extracting words manually from images wastes time. The app scans captures in seconds, freeing you from manual transcription. Websites, error messages, and locked documents surrender their data without a keyboard workout.
What happens when you use it?
Once you extract text, the app routes it straight to your computer’s clipboard. Programs like Notepad or Microsoft Word accept the data instantly via Ctrl+V.
Version Requirements
Update Snipping Tool to version 11.2308.33.0 or newer to use text extraction.
How to copy text from screenshots
Snipping Tool text extraction lets you copy words right out of any screenshot on Windows 11 without typing them out by hand. You just open Snipping Tool, take a picture of whatever has the words you need, and click the Text Actions button on the toolbar. The app reads the image and highlights everything so you can copy and paste it into any document.
- Open the Snipping Tool app.
- Take a screenshot of the image that contains the text you need.
- Click the Text Actions button in the toolbar. This will highlight all the text found in the image.
- To grab all the text at once, click the Copy all text button.
- If you only want a specific part, use your mouse to highlight just that text. Right-click the highlighted area and select Copy text.
Summary
Text extraction inside Snipping Tool converts image data into editable words, saving manual typing time.
Why can't I see the Text Actions button in Snipping Tool?
Outdated app versions lack the required button. Open the Microsoft Store to update the app to version 11.2308.33.0 or newer. Check the Settings menu for pending Windows 11 updates to maintain full compatibility with screen capture utilities.
Is text extraction in Snipping Tool secure?
Local device processing handles the entire text extraction workload without sending screenshots to Microsoft servers. Protecting sensitive data relies on the Quick Redact tool, which scrubs phone numbers and email addresses prior to sharing.
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Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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