How to copy text from a screenshot on Mac
Stop retyping invoice numbers, error messages, and addresses. Your Mac can read text out of any image — here are three ways to do it, fastest first.
Updated October 6, 2026 · All methods run on-device
Short answer: On macOS Monterey or later, open the screenshot in Preview and select the text with your cursor (Live Text), then press ⌘C.
To skip saving and opening a file, use an OCR screenshot app. In FloatSnap, press ⌘⇧9, right-click the capture, choose Scan Text (OCR), and draw a box over the text — it's on your clipboard instantly.
Method 1: OCR straight from a capture (FloatSnap)
Best when you're doing this repeatedly — data entry, copying reference numbers, grabbing text from a video call or a PDF that won't let you select text.
- Press ⌘⇧9 and drag over the area with the text. It appears as a floating screenshot above your other windows.
- Right-click it and choose Scan Text (OCR).
- Draw a rectangle over just the text you want — one line, one number, or the whole block.
- The text is on your clipboard. Paste it with ⌘V.
Because the screenshot keeps floating, you can go back and OCR the next field, then the next, without re-capturing. No file is written to your Desktop, and recognition runs on Apple's on-device Vision framework, so the text never leaves your Mac.
Method 2: Live Text in Preview (built in)
Free and already on your Mac, but it only works on saved image files.
- Take a screenshot with ⌘⇧4 and drag over the area.
- Open the saved file from your Desktop in Preview (or select it and press Space for Quick Look).
- Move your cursor over the text — it turns into a text cursor. Click and drag to select.
- Press ⌘C to copy.
- Delete the screenshot file when you're done.
Live Text also works on images in Photos and Safari. If you can't select the text, check that Live Text is turned on in System Settings → General → Language & Region.
Method 3: The Shortcuts app
The Shortcuts app includes an Extract Text from Image action. You can build a shortcut that takes a screenshot, extracts the text, and copies it to the clipboard, then assign it a keyboard shortcut. It's flexible, but takes a few minutes to set up and gives you no way to choose just part of the image after capturing.
Which method should you use?
| FloatSnap OCR | Live Text (Preview) | Shortcuts | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steps per grab | Capture → right-click → box | Capture → open file → select | Run shortcut |
| Leaves a file behind | No | Yes | Depends on setup |
| Pick just one number | Yes | Yes | No |
| Reference stays visible | Yes, floats on top | Until you switch apps | No |
| On-device | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cost | $5 once (14-day trial) | Free | Free |
Tips for accurate OCR
- Capture bigger, select smaller. Grab the whole document area, then OCR only the field you need. Fewer stray characters to clean up.
- Zoom in first on small or low-contrast text (⌘+ in most apps) before capturing.
- Check figures. OCR is very good, but for money amounts and account numbers, glance at the result before you hit save — "8" vs "B" and "0" vs "O" are the usual suspects.
- Tables: OCR one column at a time if you're pasting into a spreadsheet, so each value lands in its own row.
Frequently asked questions
Does Mac have built-in OCR?
Yes. Live Text (macOS Monterey and later) lets you select text in images in Preview, Quick Look, Photos, and Safari. It works on saved images, so you need to save and open the screenshot first.
Is Mac OCR done on-device or in the cloud?
On-device. Live Text and Apple's Vision framework run locally. FloatSnap uses the same Vision framework, so screenshot text never leaves your Mac.
Can I OCR numbers from an invoice or bank statement?
Yes — box just the amounts or account numbers and paste them into your spreadsheet or accounting software. See FloatSnap for accountants & bookkeepers.
How do I copy text from a screenshot without saving the file?
Use an app that runs OCR on a live capture. In FloatSnap: ⌘⇧9 → right-click → Scan Text (OCR). Nothing is written to disk.
Never retype a screenshot again
FloatSnap: capture, float, OCR. $5 once, 14-day free trial, 100% on-device.