How to Use Snipping Tool’s New Text Extractor Feature

You can extract text directly from screenshots using the Snipping Tool’s Text Actions feature in Windows 11.

This new AI-powered capability allows you to select and copy text from any image you capture, eliminating the need for manual retyping.

Simply take a screenshot with the Snipping Tool, and its smart AI will identify the text within the image for you.

You can then edit this extracted text or copy it to your clipboard, making tasks like digitizing information from signs or documents incredibly fast. This feature is integrated into the latest Snipping Tool version, offering a built-in solution for text extraction.

Use the Text Actions feature in Snipping Tools

You can now pull text from any screenshot or image file using the Text Actions feature. You can also use the Quick Redact feature to automatically hide email addresses or phone numbers in your snips.

Here is how to do it:

1. First, capture a snip using the ⊞ Win+Shift+S shortcut or by opening the app.
2. Once the image opens in the editor window, click the Text Actions icon. This looks like a document or text symbol in the toolbar.

The app scans your image for text. You can select specific words to copy or click “Copy all text” to grab everything at once. If you need to protect your privacy, look for the Quick Redact option. This masks sensitive items like phone numbers or emails before sharing.

You can also click the “More options” menu. From here, choose to “Remove line breaks” from your text or turn on “Automatically copy text” to work faster.

And that’s it!

Reference: Microsoft blog

Conclusion

The Text Actions feature speeds up your workflow by transforming images into editable text. Accessing it is straightforward: capture your snip and click the Text Actions icon in the editor window. With added tools like Quick Redact, you can manage your digital information safely and efficiently.