If you’ve ever dealt with scanned documents, PDFs, or mountains of paperwork that need to be turned into editable digital files, you’ve likely stumbled across ABBYY software. But what exactly is ABBYY, what is it used for, and how does it stand out in the world of document conversion and automation?
This detailed guide explains everything you need to know — from what ABBYY is used for, to how to convert PDF to Excel using ABBYY FineReader, and even answers to questions like “Is ABBYY a Russian company?” or “Who uses ABBYY?”
Let’s dig in
What Is ABBYY Software Used For?
At its core, ABBYY is a global software company best known for its powerful OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology. That means ABBYY software specializes in converting printed or scanned documents into machine-readable and editable formats like Word, Excel, and searchable PDFs.
But ABBYY has evolved far beyond just OCR. Today, it provides solutions for Intelligent Document Processing (IDP), data capture, process mining, and digital transformation. Businesses use ABBYY to automate document-heavy workflows, reduce manual entry, and digitize paper-based systems.
Some of the most common uses of ABBYY software include:
- Converting scanned PDFs into editable formats.
- Extracting data from forms, invoices, receipts, and ID documents.
- Automating document classification and sorting.
- Enhancing business process automation through AI-powered document recognition.
What Is ABBYY FineReader?
ABBYY FineReader is the flagship OCR product that most individuals and businesses start with. It’s a desktop application available for Windows and Mac that allows you to:
- Open scanned documents or PDFs.
- Recognize the text using OCR.
- Edit and export to formats like Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, searchable PDFs, and more.
FineReader is particularly useful for legal offices, schools, government agencies, publishers, and anyone handling high volumes of documents.
You don’t need to manually type out content from scanned files anymore. FineReader takes care of it, saving hours of time and ensuring high accuracy, even for complex documents.
How to Convert PDF to Excel Using ABBYY FineReader
If you’re wondering how to use ABBYY software for something specific — like converting a PDF to Excel — here’s a simple step-by-step guide using ABBYY FineReader:
- Open ABBYY FineReader on your desktop.
- Select “Open PDF Document” and load the scanned PDF you want to convert.
- FineReader will automatically perform OCR and analyze the structure of the document.
- Once recognized, click on “Save As” or “Export” and choose Excel Workbook (.xlsx).
- Save the file, and your PDF will now be in Excel format — with tables, numbers, and layout preserved as much as possible.
This tool is especially useful if you work with financial data, tables, or administrative records that need to be reused and analyzed.
What Is an ABBYY Tool?
When we say “ABBYY tool,” we’re usually referring to any of ABBYY’s software products or solutions. The most common ABBYY tools include:
1. ABBYY FineReader
As mentioned, it’s the go-to OCR tool for professionals and everyday users who need to convert and edit scanned documents.
2. ABBYY FlexiCapture
This is a high-end data capture solution that uses machine learning to extract data from complex documents — like invoices, receipts, tax forms, and applications.
3. ABBYY Vantage
An AI-powered platform designed for enterprises that want to build and train document-processing skills to automate workflows.
4. ABBYY Timeline
A process intelligence tool that allows businesses to visualize, analyze, and optimize their workflows based on document interactions.
Each ABBYY tool is tailored for a specific audience — from solo entrepreneurs to multinational corporations handling thousands of documents daily.
Who Uses ABBYY?
ABBYY has a global client base. It serves individuals, small businesses, large enterprises, and government agencies. Here’s a look at who commonly uses ABBYY software:
- Legal firms digitizing and indexing legal contracts and case files.
- Banks automating data extraction from customer KYC documents.
- Hospitals scanning patient records and insurance forms.
- Educational institutions converting academic papers and archives into searchable content.
- Logistics companies extracting shipment and customs data from forms.
- Government agencies for e-governance and digital archiving.
ABBYY’s OCR engine is also embedded in other platforms and scanners. For example, many high-end multifunction printers use ABBYY technology to make scanned documents searchable.
In Kenya and across Africa, an increasing number of organizations are adopting ABBYY FineReader and FlexiCapture for digitization projects, especially in education, healthcare, and public administration sectors.
Is ABBYY a Russian Company?
ABBYY was originally founded in Moscow, Russia in 1989 by David Yang. However, over the years, it has grown into a truly international company. Its headquarters are now located in Milpitas, California, and it operates offices across Europe, North America, and Asia.
The company has undergone restructuring to move away from its Russian roots. Especially in recent years, ABBYY has positioned itself as a global AI company, serving over 200 countries and territories.
So while its origins are Russian, today ABBYY is considered an international enterprise software provider, with most of its development and business conducted outside of Russia.
What Is the Best OCR Software?
While there are several OCR tools available — including Adobe Acrobat Pro, Tesseract, Readiris, and OmniPage — ABBYY FineReader consistently ranks among the best OCR software on the market.
Here’s why:
- High accuracy: ABBYY’s OCR engine has been refined over decades and offers some of the best character recognition accuracy.
- Multilingual support: It recognizes over 190 languages, including rare scripts.
- Layout retention: It does a great job preserving tables, headers, columns, and formatting.
- Ease of use: The interface is clean and user-friendly for both beginners and professionals.
- Batch processing: FineReader can handle large volumes of documents quickly.
For anyone dealing with document digitization, whether you’re in Nairobi or New York, ABBYY FineReader is a solid, trustworthy solution.
Should You Use ABBYY Software?
If you’re asking “What is ABBYY software used for?”, the answer is simple: it’s used to make your documents smarter, searchable, and structured.
Whether you’re converting PDFs to Excel, automating invoice data capture, or running a document-heavy department, ABBYY has a solution. From FineReader’s user-friendly OCR to FlexiCapture’s enterprise-level automation, ABBYY software delivers powerful results across industries.
It’s not just about scanning. It’s about unlocking the data in your documents, and ABBYY does that with accuracy and intelligence.
So if you’re serious about document automation and accuracy, give ABBYY a try. It’s more than just OCR — it’s the future of intelligent document processing.
