How to Extract Text from Images and Add It to Google Docs Using OCR

Have you ever felt that you spend too much time manually typing out text from images or screenshots into Google Docs?

This task can be tedious and error-prone especially when you have to deal with many files. Although Google Docs has a built-in OCR, setting up automatic text extraction and transcription can be tricky without the right tools.

✨ Imagine if:

• text from images uploaded to Google Drive is automatically extracted and added to Google Docs
• you can skip manual copy-paste tasks and reduce transcription mistakes

If you:

• regularly handle images or scanned documents with important text
• want to eliminate manual transcription tasks
• are looking a way to streamline your document workflows

Then this article is for you :) We’ll show you how to automate OCR text extraction from images to Google Docs without writing a single line of code, using Yoom.

Meet Yoom: No-Code Automation

Yoom is a next-generation no code automation tool that lets you connect and automate tasks between your favorite apps. Yoom makes automation accessible to everyone.

• 🌐 Connect with apps like Google Docs, Google Drive, Slack and more.
• 📖 Use automation templates - no technical set up required
• 📈 Boost productivity and reduce human errors

No need to go through complex set up and IT jargons, Yoom keeps things simple and visual. You can build your automation workflows with just a few clicks, saving hours of time and stress from repetitive work.

👉 Sign Up for Yoom Here – Quick and Easy in Just 30 Seconds!

In this guide, you’ll learn the step by step process of how to use Yoom to extract text from an image file using OCR and automatically transcribe it into Google Docs.

✔️ For Those Who Want to Try It Right Away

Yoom offers a pre-built template for easy setup.
Click the “Try It” button to get started now! We’ll also walk you through the step-by-step process of creating this automation flow later in this article.

🙌 What You Can Do by Automating Image Text Transcription

Below are practical ready-to-use templates that use OCR to extract and transcribe text from images. Just click the “Try It” button to get started quickly!

OCR Images from Cloud Services & Transcribe to Google Docs

When image files are added to online storage like Google Drive or Box, Yoom's OCR function automatically extracts the text and adds it to a specific Google Doc.
Recommended for those who want to easily keep meeting minutes, reports, or shared documents up to date without manual effort.

Extract text from images stored in Dropbox and add it to Google Docs.

Try it

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■Overview

By using the "Extract text from images stored in Dropbox and add it to Google Docs" workflow, you can easily extract text from images saved in Dropbox.
The text is automatically transcribed into Google Docs, saving you the hassle of manual work.

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■Recommended for

• Those who save and manage image data in Dropbox
• Those who want to quickly utilize text information contained in images
• Those who feel burdened by manually checking and transcribing image files
• Those who use Google Docs for organizing and sharing information
• Those who want to efficiently compile text contained in multiple images
• Those aiming to improve work efficiency and quickly organize information and create documents daily

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■Benefits of using this template

By utilizing this automated flow that extracts text from images saved in Dropbox and adds it to Google Docs, you can significantly reduce the burden of manually transcribing text.
Since information can be quickly digitized from images, it is expected to improve overall work efficiency.
Compiling information from images into Google Docs makes it easier to share with stakeholders, facilitating smooth information transmission.

Additionally, reducing the time spent on tasks allows you to focus on other important tasks.
Furthermore, reducing the risk of errors due to manual input improves data accuracy.

See details Try it

OCR Images Received from Forms & Transcribe to Google Docs

Automatically extract text from image attachments submitted via Google Forms or FormBridge, then transcribe the content into Google Docs.
Ideal for anyone looking to streamline data entry by automatically extracting key details such as from receipt images in expense forms and compiling them to Google Docs.

Extract text from images received through the form and add it to Google Docs.

Try it

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■Overview

By using the flow "Extract text from images received in a form and add it to Google Docs," you can easily digitize text within images.
The extracted content is automatically compiled into a document, making it easier to manage.

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■Recommended for

• Those who frequently handle paper or handwritten materials
• Those who find it time-consuming and labor-intensive to convert submitted images into text
• Those who want to manage and edit extracted text from images in Google Docs
• Those who use Google Forms to collect image data from inside and outside the organization
• Those who manage documents and share text using Google Docs
• Those who want to speed up business processes that involve manual transcription or document copying and organization

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■Benefits of using this template

By utilizing this flow to extract text from images received in a form and add it to Google Docs, information management from image data becomes smoother.
It eliminates the need for manual text conversion of image content, significantly reducing work time.
Furthermore, since the obtained content can be immediately shared in Google Docs, information sharing within the team and document creation can proceed quickly.

Additionally, reducing manual transcription decreases the risk of input errors, helping to maintain the accuracy of records.
This mechanism promotes the efficiency of administrative tasks, allowing you to allocate time to tasks that truly require focus.

See details Try it

Extract text from images received through Google Forms and add it to Google Docs.

Try it

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■Overview

The workflow "Extract text from images received via Google Forms and add it to Google Docs" automatically extracts text information from submitted images.
The extracted text is transcribed into the document, reducing the need for manual work.

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■Recommended for

• Those who are collecting images using Google Forms
• Those who want to quickly extract text information from submitted images
• Those who want to smoothly record text extracted from images into Google Docs
• Those who want to reduce the effort of manually checking images and transcribing their content
• Those who want to share Google Docs with multiple people and quickly visualize information
• Those who want to streamline the process of converting image materials into text and enhance their ability to handle other tasks

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■Benefits of using this template

By extracting text from images received via Google Forms and automatically adding it to Google Docs, you can quickly utilize the content of image data as text.
There is no longer a need to manually check images and transcribe text as before, simplifying the workflow.
As a result, you can allocate more time to your core tasks.

Additionally, the text-converted information is easier to share and edit with multiple members on Google Docs, facilitating team-based information utilization.
Implementing this flow is expected to lead to improved work efficiency and smoother information sharing.

See details Try it

OCR Images Received via Email & Transcribe to Google Docs

Automatically extract text from image attachments in email applications that meet specified conditions, then add that text to Google Docs. 
Perfect for managing order forms or image-based requests sent via email so you no longer need to manually open and transcribe them.

Extract text from images received in Gmail and add it to Google Docs.

Try it

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■Overview

By using the workflow "Extract text from images received in Gmail and add it to Google Docs," you can automatically obtain text information from images received in emails.
The extracted content is directly reflected in Google Docs, reducing the need for manual transcription.

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■Recommended for

• Those who receive many image attachments in Gmail daily
• Those who find it cumbersome to extract text information from images received via email and document it
• Those looking for a way to efficiently record and manage information within images
• Those who use Google Docs for internal sharing and record-keeping
• Those who want to reduce manual transcription work and speed up their tasks
• Those who want to build an efficient workflow by combining multiple tools
• Those who want to quickly share and edit image information received by the team or department

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■Benefits of using this template

By utilizing the flow of extracting text from images received in Gmail and adding it to Google Docs, you can quickly convert information within images into text.
This eliminates the need for manual text entry, allowing you to efficiently reduce working time and focus more on other tasks.

Additionally, the automatic organization of data in Google Docs allows for seamless information sharing and management.
The text extracted from images can be quickly searched and edited on the document, providing swift access to necessary information.

See details Try it

Extract text from images received in Outlook and add it to Google Docs.

Try it

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■Overview

The "Extract text from images received in Outlook and add it to Google Docs" workflow automatically extracts textual information from images, streamlining documentation.
It eliminates the need to manually transcribe text, helping to reduce working time.

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■Recommended for

• Those who receive many image-attached emails for business using Outlook
• Those who feel that manually transcribing text information from images is time-consuming and labor-intensive
• Those who want to use Google Docs to streamline information sharing and document creation
• Those who want to proceed with tasks quickly but feel burdened by the task of extracting and compiling text from images
• Those interested in automating and streamlining workflow
• Those who want to quickly process information collection and recording tasks that were previously done manually

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■Benefits of using this template

By utilizing this flow, which allows you to extract text from images received in Outlook and add it directly to Google Docs, you can quickly manage the information contained in image data as text data.
Previously, it was necessary to manually input the content of images, which was time-consuming and labor-intensive.

However, by using this automated flow, the conversion of images to text and the reflection in Google Docs are completed in one step.
As a result, the workflow is reduced, and the accumulation and sharing of information proceed more quickly.

See details Try it

🚀 Let's Create a Flowbot to OCR Images from Google Drive & Transcribe Them into Google Docs

Let’s walk through how to create a Flowbot that texts from an uploaded image on Google Drive using OCR and add to the specified Google Document file.

⏱️ Setup time: 10 minutes

🔧 What You’ll Need

• A free Yoom account
• Access to Google Docs & OneDrive

If you do not yet have a Yoom account, register now from  this registration form.

⚠️ Note:
OCR (reading text) used in this Flowbot is only available in Yoom's paid plans. If you're using the Free plan, the Flowbot may face errors due to limited access. But don't worry - all plans have 2-week free trial! You can try all features without restrictions. For more details, on Yoom and its plans, visit our Yoom Help Center.

Setup Overview

• Register Google Drive & Google Docs in Yoom
• Copy the Template
• Set the Google Drive Trigger and OCR & Google Docs Actions
• Activate the Flowbot

Step 1: Register Google Drive & Google Docs in My Apps

Add Google Drive

In Yoom, go to the My Apps tab, and click the “+ Add” button.

Search for Google Drive from the apps list and select it.

Click on "Sign in with Google".

Select the account you want to connect to.

Click "Next".

Select "Continue."

Add Google Docs

Click on My Apps and select “+ Add”.

Search for Google Drive and select it.

Select "Sign in with Google".

Click on the account you want to integrate.

Click "Next".

Select "Continue".

Step 2: Copy the Template

Click the “Try it” button to copy the pre-built template into your project.

Click "Try this template".

Click "OK".

Click "OK" and give this Flowbot a name so it can be recognized.

This template will be copied to your “My Project”.

Step 3: Set Up the Google Drive Trigger

Click on the trigger step labeled, "When a new file or folder is created in a specific folder".

Give your trigger a title (anything you like).

Select your account, and check the default settings. If there are no issues, click “Next”.

Set your trigger interval (how often you want Yoom to check for new updates).
It can be set to 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, or 60 minutes.Set the trigger activation interval.

⚠️ Note:
The trigger interval varies on your Yoom plan. Be sure to check your current plan’s limit.

We recommend setting the trigger to the shortest activation interval available for your plan.

Select the Folder ID from the displayed options.
Then add a test file in the specified Google Drive folder to trigger the flow.
Click “Test”.

If successful, the data from Google Drive should appear as retrieved values.
You’ll use these data in the following steps, so check the details are correct.

Step 4: Configure Google Drive Action

Click on the action step labeled, "Download File".

You can change the title (optional).
Select your account, and check the default settings. If there are no issues, click “Next”.

Select "File ID" from the "Retrieved Values" of the previous step (When a new file or folder is created in a specific folder).
After setting, click "Test".

If successful, the data from Google Drive should appear as is retrieved values. Then, click "Save".

Step 5: Set Up Text Recognition (OCR) for Images/PDF

Click the action labeled, "Read Text from Images/PDF".

Confirm the action is set to "Extract text information from any PDF/Image file (within 4000 characters)."
Rename the title if needed and click “Next”.

For the file attachment method, select "Use Retrieved Values" and choose the "File Retrieved from Google Drive" option.

Specify the items you want to extract from the image.
After setting, click "Test".

If you see correct extraction items in the retrieved value, then save it.

Step 6: Set Up Google Docs Action

Click the "Add Text to End of Document" action.

Give your action a name (anything you like).
Select your account and check the default settings.
If there are no issues, click “Next”.

Select the Document ID from the displayed options.

Select the item you want to add to Google Docs from the "Retrieved Values" from the previous step (Read Text from Images/PDF).
Once the setting is done, click “Test”.

Check the information is added to specified Google Docs, and save it.

Step 7: Activate the Flowbot

Toggle on the "Trigger ON" button to activate your flow.

That’s it! 🎉

Your Google Doc file is now automatically getting updated with the extracted text from images/PDFs :)

💡 Other Automation Ideas Using Google Docs

Automatically transcribe Google Meet meetings and add the minutes to Google Docs.

Try it

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■Overview

This is a flow that automatically transcribes Google Meet meetings and adds the minutes to Google Docs.

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■Recommended for‍

1. Business professionals who frequently use Google Meet

・Those who want to save the effort of recording and sharing meeting content

・Those who want to shorten the time spent on creating minutes to allocate more time to other tasks

・Those who manage minutes and notes centrally in Google Docs

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2. Team leaders and managers

・Those who want to understand the content of team members' meetings to aid in progress management and evaluation

・Those who want to automatically record important meeting content to promote information sharing

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3. Minute takers

・Those who want to reduce the burden of transcription and minute creation

・Those who want to share minutes immediately after meetings to promote action

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■Benefits of using this template

Google Meet is an excellent tool for conducting online meetings efficiently, but manually creating minutes after meetings and transcribing them into Google Docs can be very labor-intensive, leading to delays in information sharing and potential input errors.

By utilizing this flow, once a Google Meet meeting ends, the content is automatically transcribed and summarized, and appended to Google Docs. This allows meeting participants to save the effort of creating minutes and focus on reviewing the meeting content and the next actions.

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■Notes‍

・Please integrate Yoom with Google Sheets, Google Drive, and Google Docs.

・AI operations are only available with the Team Plan and Success Plan. If you are on the Free Plan or Mini Plan, the operations of the flow bot you set will result in an error, so please be careful.

・Paid plans such as the Team Plan and Success Plan offer a two-week free trial. During the free trial, you can use restricted apps and AI features (operations).

See details Try it

Create a quotation in Google Docs using information from the Notion database and send an email with Outlook.

Try it

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■Overview

This flow involves creating an estimate in Google Docs using information from a Notion database and sending an email via Outlook. By using a trigger with a Chrome extension, you can initiate the trigger directly from Notion.

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■Recommended for‍

1. Companies utilizing Notion for business

・Those who register customer information and deal-related information in the database

・Those who manage data for creating estimates

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2. Companies utilizing Google Docs for business

・Those who create templates for forms and use them for business

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3. Companies using Outlook as their main communication tool

・Those who use it as a means of communication with client companies

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■Benefits of using this template

Notion is a tool that facilitates smooth information sharing within a team and streamlines business processes by centrally managing customer-related data. However, manually entering information registered in Notion to create estimates and sending the created data via email may hinder the overall growth of the organization.

By utilizing this flow, you can automatically add information from Notion to a pre-created template in Google Docs to create an estimate and send the created data via email. Automating the creation of estimates reduces manual effort, allowing you to allocate time to other tasks. By enabling the entire team to focus on core tasks, productivity can be enhanced.

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■Notes‍

・Please integrate Notion, Google Docs, and Outlook with Yoom.

・For instructions on setting up triggers using the Chrome extension, please refer to here.

・Microsoft365 (formerly Office365) has both a home plan and a general business plan (Microsoft365 Business). If you are not subscribed to the general business plan, authentication may fail.

See details Try it

Once a page is created in Confluence, create a new document in Google Docs.

Try it

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■Overview

This is a flow that creates a new document in Google Docs when a page is created in Confluence.

By using Yoom, you can easily connect apps without the need for programming.

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■Recommended for

1. Those who use Confluence and Google Docs for information sharing

・Those who want to effortlessly reflect the content of pages created on Confluence in Google Docs

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2. Those who want to streamline document management within the company

・Those who use Google Docs as the main document creation tool

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■Benefits of using this template

By using this template, a new document is automatically created in Google Docs based on the information from Confluence.
This allows you to enjoy several benefits.
First, by reducing the effort of document creation, the team's work efficiency improves, allowing them to focus on other important tasks.

Additionally, by automatically generating Google Docs based on Confluence information, errors during document creation are reduced, enabling accurate information sharing.
As such, efficient work and accurate information management will enhance the overall quality of the project.

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■Notes

・Please connect Yoom with both Confluence and Google Docs.

・You can choose the trigger interval from 5, 10, 15, 30, or 60 minutes.

・Please note that the shortest trigger interval varies depending on the plan.

・AI operations are only available with the Team Plan and Success Plan. For Free Plan and Mini Plan, the operation of the set flow bot will result in an error, so please be careful.

・Paid plans such as Team Plan and Success Plan offer a two-week free trial. During the free trial, you can use restricted apps and AI features (operations).

See details Try it

When a message is sent in Google Chat, add the content to a Google Document.

Try it

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■Overview

This flow adds the content of a post to Google Docs when a message is sent in Google Chat.

By using Yoom, you can easily connect apps without the need for programming.

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■Recommended for

1. People who utilize Google Chat

・Those who share information within the team using Google Chat

・Those who accumulate messages posted in specific spaces of Google Chat in other tools

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2. People who use Google Docs regularly

・Those who manage high-priority business information in Google Docs

・Those who want to streamline the process of transcribing to Google Docs

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■Benefits of using this template

Manually transcribing and summarizing messages posted in Google Chat for storage as documents can be time-consuming.
Additionally, if there are omissions or errors in the process, the comprehensiveness of the information may decrease, prompting a desire for efficiency.

In this flow, when a message is sent in Google Chat, it can be summarized using AI features and added to Google Docs.
By automating the transcription and summarization of messages, manual work is eliminated, making it possible to efficiently accumulate information.

It also prevents transcription errors and omissions, thereby enhancing the accuracy of the information.

See details Try it

The content sent in the chat is analyzed by Gemini and added to Google Docs.

Try it

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■Overview  
The flow of "analyzing content sent via chat with Gemini and adding it to Google Docs" is a business workflow that streamlines chat communication.
This allows for smooth organization and sharing of information, reducing the effort and errors in tasks.

■Recommended for

• Business professionals who use chat tools regularly and find information organization cumbersome  
• Those who want to utilize Gemini for data analysis and share the results in Google Docs  
• IT personnel in companies looking to improve operational efficiency through information automation  
• Team leaders who want to maintain consistency in work by linking data across multiple tools  
• Administrative staff who spend a lot of time on manual data entry and organization
  ‍

■Benefits of using this template

• Automatic analysis of chat content: Gemini efficiently analyzes chat data and extracts important information.  
• Automatic addition to Google Docs: Analysis results are automatically reflected in Google Docs, ensuring smooth information sharing.  
• Improved operational efficiency: Reduces manual work, saving time and effort.  
• Error prevention: Automation reduces human errors, enabling accurate data management.
  

See details Try it

📖 Summary

Now you know how to automatically extract text from images using OCR and trascribe it to Google Docs :) Manually inputting texts from images can be time-consuming and prone to errors. But automation with Yoom can make this process smooth and reliable :) No technical skills are needed to get started.

If you want to...

• save time on data entry from PDFs & images
• reduce mistakes from manual input
• streamline your invoice or document process

then this Yoom's ready-made template is perfect for you :) Try our variety of ready-made templates to help you automate from document creation, form recording, minutes creation and more!

Ready to simplify your workflow? Sign up for Yoom and try it today!

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