Zotero Plugins Atlas
Plugins / Reading & PDFs

Zotero OCR

by UB-Mannheim · github.com/UB-Mannheim/zotero-ocr

Runs Tesseract OCR on scanned PDFs and saves a searchable copy with a text layer, optionally with a note holding the text or hOCR files.

Reading & PDFs
View source
Downloads a .xpi file (0.02 MB). In Zotero, open Tools → Plugins and install it from the file.
StarsPeople who starred the repository on GitHub: a rough measure of interest.
828
DownloadsAll-time downloads of its release files from GitHub. Installs from elsewhere aren't counted.
533,797
ContributorsPeople who have committed code to the repository.
10
LicenceThe licence the code is published under, as GitHub reports it.
AGPL-3.0
B
Atlas gradeUse with care
because it launches programs on your computer
Applies to v0.9.6, released 6 Sep 2026Code checked · tested installed in Zotero 10.0.3 on 27 Sep 2026
What we found in the codeSets the gradeThe worst finding in these three areas sets the grade.
Code transparencyReadable code; not yet checked against the published sourceThe developer uploaded the release file from the aborel account. We haven't yet checked whether this file matches the public source code.UnknownWe couldn't check this yet.
Updates
Updates come from this project's GitHub repositoryThe update address offers this version
Where your data goesNo web requests foundLowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
No further detail for this area yet.
Powerful capabilitiesLaunches programs on your computer, and 2 moreMediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install. One medium finding makes the grade B.
Launches programs on your computermediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install.Works with files on your computerlowLow concern.Pages it creates load scripts from the weblowLow concern.
Where we found it
Launches programs on your computerchrome/content/zoteroocr.js · line 6
Components.utils.import("resource://gre/modules/Subprocess.jsm");
Before you installShown, not gradedFacts to help you decide. They don't change the grade.
Works withZotero 7, 8, 9, 10 · not 11 betaUpdates automatically
Zotero 7 ✓ worksZotero 8 ✓ worksZotero 9 ✓ worksZotero 10 ✓ worksZotero 11 beta ✗ doesn't work
What you'll needNothing extra detectedDetected automatically from its code
No further detail for this area yet.
MaintenanceActive · last release 6 Sep 202610 contributors
No further detail for this area yet.
LanguagesDocumentation in EnglishInterface: English and French
No further detail for this area yet.
We report what we found in the code. Open any area for the evidence.How we gradeReport a problem

What it does

Written by AI from the README

Runs Tesseract OCR on scanned PDFs and saves a searchable copy with a text layer, optionally with a note holding the text or hOCR files. Needs Tesseract and Poppler's pdftoppm installed locally.

Scanned PDFs have no text, so Zotero can't search, index or text-highlight them. OCR makes them usable.

What you'll need

Detected automatically

We haven't detected any setup requirements. That isn't the same as none: check the developer's README.

Where your data goes

We found: no web requests found.

Forks and alternatives

No forks listed.

Plugins for the same job
  • NoteroReading & PDFs · Files, sync & backupA+Recommended, tested in Zotero
  • Bionic for ZoteroReading & PDFsA+Recommended, tested in Zotero
  • ZotLitReading & PDFs · Citing & writingA+Recommended, tested in Zotero
  • Zotero Focused ModeReading & PDFsA+Recommended, tested in Zotero

The developer's response

The developer hasn't responded. Developers can reply here, and their reply sits next to our findings.I'm the developer
Install Zotero OCR
BUse with care
Before you install: It launches programs on your computer.Read the finding
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