You can create an editable Word document from a JPEG image on your Windows computer or Mac. While there is no way to directly convert an image into a Word document that you can edit, you can use a free optical character recognition (OCR) service to scan the JPEG to Word, or you can convert the file. JPEG to PDF then use Word to convert PDF to editable Word document. Note that for best results, your JPEG file should be a high quality text-based image.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Use OnlineOCR
Step 1. Log in to OnlineOCR
Open this page in your web browser. OnlineOCR allows you to convert various types of files (including JPEG files) into a Word document.
Step 2. Click File
It's the blue button on the left of the page. Click on it to open a File Explorer (on Windows) or Finder (on Mac) window where you can select your JPEG file.
Step 3. Select your JPEG file
Open the folder that contains your JPEG then click on it once to select it.
Step 4. Choose Open
This option is located at the bottom right of the window and allows you to upload the JPEG file to the OnlineOCR website.
- On a Mac, click To choose.
Step 5. Click on a language
If you want to use a language other than the one listed in the text field in the middle, click on it and then choose the language of your choice.
Step 6. Make sure you convert it to a Word document
If the third text field does not say Microsoft Word (docx), click on it and then select Microsoft Word (docx) from the drop-down menu.
Step 7. Choose CONVERT
This option is on the far right of the page and converts the JPEG file into a Word document.
Step 8. Click Download Output File
You will see this link appear under the File button. Click on it to download your converted Word document to your computer.
Depending on your browser settings, you may need to select a save location or confirm the download before you can download the file
Step 9. Open your new Word document
Double-click the converted Word document to open it.
Step 10. Select Activate Changes
This option is in the yellow bar at the top of the Word document. Click on it to make your document editable.
- This step is mandatory, because since you downloaded the Word document from an online source, Word will consider it to be potentially dangerous.
- Remember to save all your changes by pressing Ctrl + S (on Windows) or Command + S (on Mac).
Method 2 of 3: Use PDF on Windows
Step 1. Open the JPEG file you want to convert
Double-click the JPEG file to open it in the Photos app.
Step 2. Click on the print icon
It's the printer icon in the upper right corner of the window. Click on it to open the print window.
Don't worry if you don't have a printer connected to your computer, you won't be able to print anything
Step 3. Pull down the Printer menu
You will find it at the top of the print window. Click on it to open a drop-down menu.
Step 4. Select Microsoft Printer Output as PDF
This option is in the drop-down menu.
Step 5. Choose Print
The Print option is at the bottom of the window and opens a pop-up window.
Step 6. Enter a name
In the Name text box, type the name you want to give your converted document.
Step 7. Select a save location
Click on a folder name (for example Office) on the left of the window.
Step 8. Click Save
This button is at the bottom of the window and allows you to save a PDF version of your JPEG file in the selected folder.
Step 9. Go to the location of the PDF
Your PDF will be in the folder you selected earlier.
Step 10. Right click on the PDF
You will see a drop-down menu appear.
Step 11. Select Open With
The Open with option is in the drop-down menu and displays a context menu.
If you don't see the Open With option in the drop-down menu, click anywhere on the screen to close the drop-down menu, then click the PDF again to select it and right-click again
Step 12. Click Word
This option is in the context menu and opens Microsoft Word.
Step 13. Choose OK at the command prompt
Word will try to convert the PDF file to a Word document.
It will take a few minutes
Step 14. Review your Word document
The process of converting a PDF file to a Word document is not without its flaws. You may therefore need to correct text or remove images that are not positioned correctly.
If your document is not fully editable or if much of the text has errors, you can try using online OCR software instead
Method 3 of 3: Use PDF on Mac
Step 1. Select your JPEG file
Open the folder that contains the JPEG file you want to convert and then select it by clicking on it once.
Step 2. Click File
This is a menu item at the top of the screen. Click on it to bring up a drop-down menu.
Step 3. Choose Open With
This option is found in the File drop-down menu and opens a context menu.
Step 4. Select Preview
Preview is in the context menu and opens the JPEG file in Preview.
Step 5. Click File again
This will reopen the drop-down menu.
Step 6. Choose Export as PDF
This option is in the drop-down menu. Click on it to bring up a new window.
Step 7. Choose a save location
Expand the Where box then click on the folder name where you want to save your converted PDF.
Step 8. Click Save
The Save option is at the bottom of the window.
Step 9. Select your new PDF
Go to the folder that contains the PDF version of your JPEG file, then click it once to select it.
Step 10. Go to File then select Open with.
This will open the Open With context menu.
Step 11. Click Microsoft Word
This option should be in the context menu and will open Microsoft Word.
- If you don't see the Word option, you can open the Word application and then click File, To open and finally select the PDF in the Finder window that appears.
Step 12. Choose OK at the command prompt
Word will try to convert the PDF to a Word document.
The process will take a few minutes
Step 13. Review your Word document
The PDF to Word conversion isn't perfect, which means you'll need to rearrange text or remove images that aren't positioned correctly.