Copy ocr text directly from images

Features
1

Context
Currently, OCR in Joplin is used for search indexing only. While this makes images searchable, it is not possible to directly copy the recognized text from an image.

In practical use, this limits the value of OCR. For example, when scanning documents, receipts, whiteboards, or screenshots, users often want to quickly copy a specific sentence, code snippet, or paragraph. Right now, this requires retyping the text manually or using an external tool such as Google Lens.

Since Joplin already performs OCR processing, the text data exists internally. However, it is not exposed in a way that allows users to select and copy it from within the note.

Proposed Solution
Expose the OCR output in a user-accessible way. Possible implementations:

  • Add a “Show OCR text” option in the image context menu.

  • Allow selecting and copying OCR text directly from the image (similar to Google Lens) by providing an overlay mode where recognized text can be selected.

  • Store OCR text in a collapsible section below the image (optional, toggleable in settings).

This could follow a similar concept to the upcoming accessible PDF export feature (with text overlay), but applied directly inside notes for images.

Discussion topics

  • What do you think about this feature?

  • Would you use this feature yourself?

  • Should OCR text be visible by default or only via a toggle?

  • Would a simple “Copy OCR text” button be sufficient, or is a full overlay experience preferable?

2

This part is already there actually

3

Oh… I see. I thought it wasn’t.

In that case the problemn isn’t that big. It would be cool to have the ocr text overlay the image so you can copy it straight from the preview but I think it’s not worth the effort given the little value that adds.

4

Yes I'm not sure how much effort adding that overlay on top of the image would be, but it would be useful