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If you can’t select or copy text in a PDF
When you’re viewing a PDF in Preview and you can’t select or copy text, try one of the following.
The Text Selection tool may not be selected. Click the Show Markup Toolbar button
, then click the Text Selection button
.
The PDF may require a password before you can select or copy text. Choose Tools > Show Inspector, click the Encryption button
, then enter the password.
The text might be an image instead of actual text. You can’t select the text in this case.
See alsoSelect and copy text in a PDF