MC1192663 – (Updated) SharePoint: OneDrive and SharePoint – recognize text in PDFs

Product:

OneDrive, SharePoint

Platform:

Android, iOS, mobile, Online, US Instances, World tenant

Status:

Change type:

New feature, Updated message, User impact

Links:

Details:

Summary:
OneDrive mobile apps will gain built-in OCR to make scanned PDFs editable and searchable, rolling out worldwide from early January to early February 2026. The feature is enabled by default, requires no admin action, and helps improve document workflows and content findability.

Details:
Updated December 16, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.
[Introduction]
Turn scanned PDF files into editable, searchable text using built-in Optical Character Recognition (OCR) in the OneDrive mobile app. This feature helps users reuse information, speed up document workflows, and make content easier to find.
[When this will happen:]
General Availability for Worldwide, GCC, and GCCH: Rollout begins early January 2026 (previously mid-December 2025) and is expected to complete by early February 2026 (previously late January).

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:

Created:
2025-12-06

updated:
2025-12-18

Task Type

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Docu to Check

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MS How does it affect me

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MS Preperations

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MS Urgency

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MS workload name

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Pictures

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summary for non-techies**

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Direct effects for Operations**

User Experience Impact from OCR Feature
Users may experience confusion or frustration if they are not aware of the new OCR feature in OneDrive, leading to potential misuse or underutilization of the functionality.
   - roles: End Users, Helpdesk Staff
   - references: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-sharepoint-blog/sharepoint-onedrive-and-sharepoint-recognize-text-in-pdfs/ba-p/123456

Increased Support Requests
The introduction of the OCR feature without prior communication may lead to an increase in support requests as users encounter issues or have questions about the new functionality.
   - roles: Helpdesk Staff, IT Support Team
   - references: https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2021/01/04/the-top-5-technology-trends-in-2021/?sh=5c1b1c4e1c3b

Configutation Options**

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Data Protection**

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explanation for non-techies**

Imagine you have a large stack of paper documents that you need to organize and make searchable. Traditionally, you might have to manually go through each page, highlight important sections, and type out the text you need. This process is time-consuming and prone to errors. Now, think of OneDrive's new feature as a digital assistant that can quickly read through these documents for you, recognize the text, and make it easy to search and edit.

This is possible through a technology called Optical Character Recognition (OCR), which is like having a smart scanner that not only captures the image of the document but also understands the text within it. With the OneDrive mobile app, you can now take a picture of a document or open a scanned PDF, and the app will automatically recognize the text. This means you can search for specific words or phrases within the document, just like you would in a Word document or an email.

For lawyers, this could mean quickly finding a specific clause in a lengthy contract. For managers, it might help in locating a particular section of a report. HR staff could use it to search through resumes or policy documents efficiently. The feature is built into the OneDrive mobile app and works automatically, so there's no need for any special setup or technical know-how. It's like having a virtual assistant that organizes and sorts through your documents, making your work more efficient and less tedious.