Microsoft Syntex optical character recognition (OCR) will support PDF files with images [MC907534]

Microsoft Syntex optical character recognition (OCR) will support PDF files with images

We are pleased to announce a new enhancement coming soon to the Microsoft Syntex optical character recognition (OCR) capabilities in Microsoft SharePoint Online: We will support hybrid PDF files that contain both text and images.

This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 419808.

[When this will happen:]
General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out late October 2024 and expect to complete by early November 2024.

[How this will affect your organization:]
Before this rollout, the OCR feature only supports image-only PDF files.

After this rollout, all newly uploaded hybrid PDF files will be processed by OCR in document libraries where the feature is enabled. This means that PDFs with mixed content will have improved searchability and discoverability.

The process to configure the OCR feature for SharePoint will not change. Admins can go to Microsoft 365 admin center > Home > Setup > Automate content processes with Syntex > Optical Character recognition.

[What you need to do to prepare:]
The change will be on by default.

This rollout will happen automatically by the specified date with no admin action required before the rollout. You may want to notify your users about this change and update any relevant documentation.

Learn more: Overview of optical character recognition in Microsoft Syntex – Microsoft Syntex | Microsoft Learn (will be updated before rollout)

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Alright, folks, gather ’round because we’ve got some exciting news that’s going to make your digital life a whole lot easier! Microsoft Syntex is getting a shiny new upgrade that will make its OCR capabilities even more powerful. Yes, you heard it right! Starting late October 2024, Syntex OCR will support hybrid PDF files that contain both text and images.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Finally, my PDFs with mixed content can be searchable and discoverable!” And you’re absolutely right. This update means that all those hybrid PDFs you’ve been hoarding will now be processed by OCR, making it a breeze to find that one document you need in a sea of files.

For our beloved admins, the good news is that you won’t have to lift a finger. The change will be on by default, and the rollout will happen automatically. Just sit back, relax, and maybe notify your users about this nifty new feature. You can still configure the OCR feature the same way you always have, so no need to worry about learning a new process.

And for the users, get ready for a smoother, more efficient document search experience. Imagine not having to scroll endlessly through PDFs to find that one line of text. It’s like finding a needle in a haystack, but now the needle is wearing a neon sign that says, “Here I am!”

So, what do you think about this update? Excited? Relieved? Indifferent? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and let’s get the conversation rolling!