In today’s digital age, PDF files have become a standard format for sharing and storing documents. However, there are times when you may need to extract a specific portion of a PDF file for various purposes, such as presentations, reports, or simply to save important information. This is where the Snipping Tool comes in handy.
The Snipping Tool is a built-in screenshot utility in Windows 10 that allows you to capture and save screenshots of selected parts of your screen. While it is primarily designed for capturing screenshots of visible content on your screen, it can also be used to capture specific pages or sections of a PDF file. In this blog post, we will explore various methods and steps to use the Snipping Tool on PDF files in Windows 10.
Why You Need to Use the Snipping Tool on PDF Files
- Efficient Sharing: By using the Snipping Tool on PDF files, you can easily extract and share only the relevant information instead of sending the entire document. This not only saves time but also improves the recipient’s focus on the specific content.
- Effective Presentation: If you need to create a presentation using information from a PDF file, the Snipping Tool allows you to capture and save relevant content in image format. This makes it easier to incorporate the extracted information into your slides.
- Easy Reference: Sometimes, you may come across a lengthy PDF document and only need to refer to a specific portion frequently. By using the Snipping Tool, you can save a screenshot of that section and easily access it whenever needed, without having to scroll through the entire file.
- Digital Note-taking: The Snipping Tool can also be useful for digital note-taking. Instead of copying and pasting text or taking handwritten notes, you can capture the desired content from a PDF file and save it as an image. This simplifies the process of organizing and revisiting your notes later on.
Video Tutorial:
Part 1: Snipping Tool Method using Copy and Paste
The first method we will explore is using the Snipping Tool in combination with the copy and paste function. This method allows you to capture a specific portion of a PDF file and paste it directly into another application or document.
Before we proceed with the steps, make sure you have a PDF file open and ready to capture.
Step 1: Open the Snipping Tool by clicking on the "Start" button, searching for "Snipping Tool," and selecting the app from the search results.
Step 2: In the Snipping Tool, click on the "New" button to start the snipping process.
Step 3: The Snipping Tool will change your cursor into a crosshair. Click and drag the crosshair to select the portion of the PDF file you want to capture. Release the mouse button to capture the selected area.
Step 4: After capturing the selected area, the Snipping Tool will open a new window displaying the captured screenshot. Click on the "File" menu and select "Save As" to save the screenshot as an image file on your computer.
Pros:
- Quick and easy method to capture specific sections of a PDF file.
- Allows for flexibility in choosing the desired portion to capture.
- Saves the captured portion as an image file, which can be easily shared or inserted into other documents.
Cons:
- The captured portion may lose some quality and resolution depending on the snipping settings and size of the selected area.
- Does not capture text as editable content, but as an image.
- May not be suitable for capturing large sections or multiple pages of a PDF file due to limited screen space.
Part 2: Snipping Tool Method using Print and Save as PDF
The second method we will explore is using the Snipping Tool in combination with the print function to save the captured area as a PDF file. This method allows you to capture a specific portion of a PDF file and save it as a separate PDF document.
Step 1: Open the Snipping Tool by following the steps mentioned in Part 1.
Step 2: In the Snipping Tool, click on the "New" button to start the snipping process.
Step 3: Use the crosshair cursor to select the portion of the PDF file you want to capture, just like in the previous method.
Step 4: After capturing the selected area, click on the "File" menu in the Snipping Tool and select "Print". This will open the print settings window.
Step 5: In the print settings window, select "Microsoft Print to PDF" as the printer. Adjust any other printing settings if needed, such as paper size or orientation.
Step 6: Click on the "Print" button to save the captured area as a PDF file. Choose a location on your computer to save the file and provide a name for it.
Pros:
- Preserves the captured portion as a PDF file, allowing for easy sharing and viewing.
- Retains the original quality and resolution of the captured area.
- Allows for capturing larger sections or multiple pages of a PDF file.
Cons:
- The process involves additional steps compared to the previous method.
- Does not capture text as editable content, but as a PDF image.
- May not be suitable for capturing very small or detailed sections due to potential loss of clarity.
Part 3: Snipping Tool Method using OCR Software
The third method we will explore is using the Snipping Tool in combination with Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. This method allows you to capture a specific portion of a PDF file, convert it into editable text using OCR, and save it in a desired format.
Step 1: Open the Snipping Tool by following the steps mentioned in Part 1.
Step 2: In the Snipping Tool, click on the "New" button to start the snipping process.
Step 3: Use the crosshair cursor to select the portion of the PDF file you want to capture, just like in the previous methods.
Step 4: After capturing the selected area, click on the "File" menu in the Snipping Tool and select "Save As" to save the screenshot as an image file on your computer.
Step 5: Use OCR software of your choice to convert the image file into editable text. There are various OCR software options available, both online and offline. Follow the specific instructions provided by the OCR software you are using.
Step 6: After converting the image file into editable text, you can save it in a desired format, such as Word, Excel, or plain text.
Pros:
- Enables capturing specific portions of a PDF file and converting them into editable text.
- Provides the ability to edit, search, or copy the captured text for further use.
- Allows for saving the captured text in different formats to suit your needs.
Cons:
- Requires additional OCR software for converting the captured image into editable text.
- The accuracy of the OCR results may vary depending on the software and quality of the captured image.
- May not be suitable for capturing highly complex or detailed sections of a PDF file.
Part 4: Snipping Tool Method using Microsoft OneNote
The fourth method we will explore is using the Snipping Tool in combination with Microsoft OneNote. This method allows you to capture a specific portion of a PDF file, save it as an image, and then insert it into a OneNote notebook for further organization and annotation.
Step 1: Open the Snipping Tool by following the steps mentioned in Part 1.
Step 2: In the Snipping Tool, click on the "New" button to start the snipping process.
Step 3: Use the crosshair cursor to select the portion of the PDF file you want to capture, just like in the previous methods.
Step 4: After capturing the selected area, click on the "File" menu in the Snipping Tool and select "Save As" to save the screenshot as an image file on your computer.
Step 5: Open Microsoft OneNote and create a new notebook or open an existing one.
Step 6: In OneNote, create a new page or navigate to the page where you want to insert the captured image.
Step 7: Click on the "Insert" tab in OneNote’s ribbon and select "Picture" from the "Images" group.
Step 8: Choose the saved screenshot image from your computer and insert it into OneNote.
Pros:
- Allows for capturing specific portions of a PDF file and organizing them in a digital notebook.
- Provides the ability to further annotate, highlight, or add additional content to the captured image in OneNote.
- Enables easy organization and retrieval of captured content within the OneNote notebook structure.
Cons:
- Requires the use of Microsoft OneNote or a compatible application for further organization and annotation of the captured content.
- May not be suitable for capturing very large or detailed sections of a PDF file due to limited screen space in OneNote.
- Capturing text as an image limits the ability to edit or search for specific words within the captured content.
What to Do If You Can’t Use the Snipping Tool on PDF Files
If for any reason you are unable to use the Snipping Tool on PDF files, there are alternative solutions available. These solutions offer similar functionality and can help you accomplish your goal of capturing specific portions of a PDF file. Here are three alternatives to consider:
1. Adobe Acrobat Reader: Adobe Acrobat Reader is a widely-used free PDF reader that offers several tools for capturing and editing PDF content. It includes a "Take a Snapshot" feature that allows you to capture a specific area of a PDF and save it as an image.
2. Third-party Screenshot Tools: There are several third-party screenshot tools available that offer more advanced features and customization options compared to the Snipping Tool. Some popular options include Greenshot, Lightshot, and Snagit. These tools often provide additional annotation tools and sharing options.
3. Online PDF Editors: Online PDF editors, such as Smallpdf, PDFescape, or Sejda, offer various editing and capturing features, including the ability to select and save specific portions of a PDF file as images. These tools are web-based and require uploading your PDF file to their platform for editing.
While these alternatives may require additional steps or resources, they can be effective alternatives when the Snipping Tool is not available or suitable for your specific needs.
Bonus Tips
Here are three bonus tips to enhance your experience when using the Snipping Tool on PDF files:
1. Experiment with Snipping Tool Settings: The Snipping Tool offers various settings, such as the snipping type (full screen, free-form, rectangular, or window snip) and the ink color for highlighting or annotating. Customizing these settings can improve your workflow and help achieve desired results.
2. Combine Snips in OneNote: If you are using Microsoft OneNote, you can combine multiple snips from different PDF files on a single page. This allows for better organization and easier reference when working with multiple sources or sections.
3. Explore Advanced OCR Tools: While the Snipping Tool offers basic OCR functionality through other software, there are dedicated OCR tools available, such as Adobe Acrobat Pro or ABBYY FineReader, that provide more advanced OCR capabilities. These tools can offer greater accuracy and additional features for capturing and editing text from PDF files.
The Bottom Line
The Snipping Tool in Windows 10 is a versatile tool that can be effectively used to capture and save specific portions of PDF files. Whether you need to share, present, or reference content from a PDF, the Snipping Tool provides multiple methods to capture the desired information. If you are unable to use the Snipping Tool, alternative solutions such as Adobe Acrobat Reader, third-party screenshot tools, or online PDF editors can be considered. By exploring these methods and utilizing the bonus tips, you can streamline your workflow and make the most out of your PDF file interactions.
5 FAQs about Using the Snipping Tool on PDF Files
Q1: Can I capture multiple pages of a PDF using the Snipping Tool?
A1: The Snipping Tool is designed to capture specific portions of the screen, including PDF files. However, due to limited screen space and the software’s primary function for capturing visible content, capturing multiple pages of a PDF using the Snipping Tool may not be practical. To capture multiple pages, consider alternative methods such as using Adobe Acrobat Reader or other PDF editing tools.
Q2: Can I edit or modify the captured content using the Snipping Tool?
A2: The Snipping Tool primarily captures the selected section as an image, which limits the ability to directly edit or modify the captured content. However, you can use other software or applications, such as Microsoft Paint or image editing software, to make additional changes or annotations to the captured image.
Q3: Can I use the Snipping Tool on password-protected or restricted PDF files?
A3: The Snipping Tool can capture portions of a PDF file regardless of any password protection or restrictions associated with the file. However, the captured content remains as an image and does not bypass or alter the security measures imposed on the PDF. To access the content within password-protected or restricted PDF files, the appropriate passwords or permissions are still required.
Q4: Can I use the Snipping Tool on scanned or image-based PDF files?
A4: Yes, the Snipping Tool can capture portions of scanned or image-based PDF files. However, keep in mind that the captured content will be treated as an image and not as editable text. To extract and edit text from scanned or image-based PDF files, you would need to use OCR software or other specialized tools.