How to extract text from images on a Mac

A simple image might contain a lot of information, such as contact numbers or a page of notes that you need to convert into an editable file. In these situations, you can conveniently use artificial intelligence to extract this text using Live Text. We will provide all the details about this function below, along with how you can use it.

What you should know about Live Text

This is an undoubtedly useful tool integrated into the operating system, as it uses artificial intelligence with the ability to analyze photos and identify text and numeric sections. It allows you to copy and paste the text found in a specific image directly to your clipboard without manually typing it, which can be time-consuming. This feature works with photos you’ve saved, paper documents, posters, and even screenshots of web pages. It’s important to note that this functionality is available on both iPhones and iPads, and it is also present on the company’s computers.

Requirements for Mac

          It’s no surprise that any software feature comes with certain requirements, primarily focusing on the software itself. Apple introduced this text recognition feature with macOS Monterey. Hence, one of the essential requirements is that your Mac should have macOS 12 or later installed.

          However, the requirements aren’t limited to the operating system alone. Additionally, it is necessary to have a Mac equipped with Apple Silicon or the T2 security chip. This is essential as it requires sufficient processing power to run the artificial intelligence responsible for detecting text in images.

Enabled by Default

          Once you’ve confirmed that you have macOS Monterey installed on your Mac, you might wonder how to activate this feature. You should know that initially, you won’t need to do anything to get started. It is a feature that is inherently enabled when you have this version of macOS. It’s important to note that you won’t see any panels when you enter the visual preview.

          This process is automatic; when you open an image in Preview, the artificial intelligence activates quickly. This is quite convenient for users as they do not need to access any additional panels. You can input images, copy, close, and move text wherever you want directly. There’s no doubt that this is a brand from Cupertino aiming to simplify your entire process.

How to Use Live Text

          Now that it’s clear what Live Text is, what the requirements are, and how to use it, you can get started. The process is very simple since it is integrated with the applications you are already using, specifically Preview. Here are the steps you need to follow to take advantage of it:

1. Open an image containing text in Preview.
2. Hover your mouse over the text.
3. Drag to select the text.
4. Click on the secondary button and choose one of the various functions that will be displayed.

When you click the secondary button, a variety of options will appear, allowing you to perform actions with the text you selected in the image via artificial intelligence. In this case, we can summarize the options as follows:

• Copy Text: The most basic function available when working with text. This is ideal for pasting excerpts into other editable documents.
• Look Up Definition: This allows for a quick search in the Mac dictionary to display the meanings of specific phrases without needing to access a browser.
• Translate Text: With this option, you can instantly select the language you want to translate into, which is particularly useful when you encounter signs or menus not in your native language.
• Search Text on the Web: This is excellent when you want to conduct a deeper search for specific terms in the browser you have open by default. It helps you avoid the hassle of copying text and moving to the search bar, making it something you should always be familiar with.
• Share Text with Others: This is desirable for users who want to share interesting snippets of information they’ve found with others. The sharing menu will open, allowing you to use native applications like Messages, as well as any other installed programs.
• Dial Phone Number: If the number is in the correct format, FaceTime will automatically open, allowing you to make the call.
• Email Contact: This will open your default email client on your Mac and automatically enter the email address you selected in the recipient field. You only need to worry about writing the message content and sending it.
• Go to Website: This option activates when a compatible web address is detected, opening the configured web browser for you.

Limitations Encountered

          While Live Text is an interesting feature, there are some significant limitations to highlight. Throughout the workflow, we can only name the program as Live Text. Unlike on iPhones or iPads, where the functionality is much broader, macOS has more restrictions. In this case, Live Text does not work in other image editing applications beyond Live Text itself.           This means that if you are using another app, you will need to make changes, save the image, and then open it in Preview or Quick Look. Clearly, this is not very convenient. Additionally, the text must be quite sharp for the feature to work correctly. This can be an issue since you may not always have access to high-quality images