How to copy text from a screenshot on Windows 11
Press Windows + Shift + S and drag around the text. Click the preview to open Snipping Tool, then click Text actions and Copy all text.
- Windows
- Easy · 1 min
- Windows 11 with current Snipping Tool
- Snipping Tool
- Cheat sheet
How to do it
Press Windows + Shift + S and drag a box around the text.
Click the preview to open Snipping Tool.
Click Text actions, then select the text or choose Copy all text.
If the capture bar itself shows Text extractor, you can use that instead and copy the text without keeping the image.
Update Snipping Tool from the Microsoft Store if Text actions is missing. Quick redact, on the same toolbar, can black out emails and phone numbers before you share the image.
Questions people ask
Why don't I see Text actions?
Update Snipping Tool from the Microsoft Store. It's a newer feature.
Does the text get uploaded anywhere?
No. The text recognition runs on the PC.
Can I hide email addresses before sharing the screenshot?
Yes. Quick redact, on the same toolbar, blacks out emails and phone numbers.
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