We often need to extract and analyze web-based text from sources where standard copy-pasting is disabled. This can be due to platform design (like chat applications), proprietary content protections, or intentional copy-blocking measures on articles and documents.
This guide presents a simple two-step method to overcome these technical limitations without requiring extensions, complicated workarounds, or legal concerns. By capturing a full-page image and using an AI assistant, you can effectively extract and interact with any web content, turning restricted information into a valuable resource for analysis and documentation.
Disclaimer: This guide is for lawful purposes only. Users are solely responsible for ensuring their use complies with all applicable laws, terms of service, and copyright regulations.
- You must own or have permission to access the content you capture
- Respect copyright laws and intellectual property rights
- Verify compliance with website terms of service
- Do not use extracted content for unauthorized commercial purposes
- Check local laws regarding screen captures and data extraction The authors assume no liability for misuse of this method.
The Challenge: Why Websites Block Copy Functions
You may encounter scenarios where you need to extract and analyze text from a web source, but the standard copy function is unavailable. Common situations include:
- Chat Conversations: Reviewing lengthy discussions with business partners to summarize key decisions
- Proprietary Content: Analyzing competitor websites or paywalled articles
- Chat Applications: Exporting conversations from Slack, Discord, or WhatsApp Web
- Protected Documents: Accessing text from PDFs or images that prevent copy-paste
- Forum Discussions: Saving important technical information from read-only forums
- Email Archives: Extracting text from archived emails that disable selection
This creates a significant barrier to efficient data handling, research, and knowledge management.
The Solution: A Two-Step Capture and Analysis Technique
Our method bypasses copy-protection by working around the technical limitation. Instead of trying to extract text directly from the protected source, we:
- Capture the visual content as an image
- Use AI to read and extract the text from that image
Step-by-Step Implementation
Step 1: Capture the Entire Webpage with GoFullPage (1-2 minutes)
The first step is to create a comprehensive, full-page image of all the content you wish to analyze.
Image source: Softpedia
Why GoFullPage?
- Open-source and free
- Works on Chrome, Edge, and Brave
- Captures long, scrollable pages in one image
- No login required or data collection
Installation and Use:
Image source: Aiseesoft
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Install the Extension:
- Open Chrome Web Store
- Search for "GoFullPage" by Jothan
- Click "Add to Chrome" and confirm
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Navigate to Your Target:
- Open the webpage or chat window you want to capture
- Make sure the content is fully loaded on screen
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Capture the Page:
- Click the GoFullPage extension icon in your browser toolbar
- The extension automatically scrolls through the entire page and captures it
- A new tab opens showing your full-page screenshot
- Wait for the image to fully generate (10-30 seconds)
Image source: Microsoft Store
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Copy the Image to Clipboard:
- Right-click on the full-page image
- Select "Copy Image"
- The image is now ready for AI analysis
Step 2: Extract Text Using AI
With the image on your clipboard, use a multimodal AI assistant to extract and analyze the text.
Option A: Google Gemini
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Open Google Gemini:
- Go to gemini.google.com
- Sign in with your Google account (free)
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Paste Your Screenshot:
- In the chat input field, press Ctrl+V (Windows) or Cmd+V (Mac)
- The image will appear in the chat
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Ask for Text Extraction:
- Type: "Extract all the text from this screenshot and provide it as plain text"
- Gemini will process the image and respond with extracted text
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Copy the Results:
- Select and copy the extracted text
- Use for documentation, analysis, or further processing
Option B: OpenAI ChatGPT
- Go to chat.openai.com
- Start a new chat
- Click the attachment icon and upload your screenshot
- Ask: "Extract all text from this image and provide it as plain text"
- ChatGPT will extract the text
Image source: Easy With AI
Option C: Claude AI (Anthropic)
Free option with excellent image processing:
- Go to claude.ai
- Create free account or sign in
- Click the attachment icon to upload your screenshot
- Request: "Please extract all visible text from this screenshot"
- Claude provides clean, formatted text extraction
Common Use Cases
1. Extracting Text from Chat Conversations
- Capture a Slack or Discord conversation
- Paste into AI → Request summary
- Get organized transcript with key points
2. Saving from Personal Email Archives
- Screenshot your own email threads
- Extract for documentation purposes
- Create searchable email backup
3. Collecting Your Own Notes
- Screenshot notes from personal projects
- Extract for compilation into documents
- Archive for compliance or reference
4. Accessing Your Own Content
- Screenshots of your own social media posts
- Extract for content repurposing
- Backup your own digital content
Alternative Methods
Method 2: Print to PDF + AI Extraction
- Press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Cmd+P (Mac)
- Select "Save as PDF"
- Upload PDF to AI tool (Gemini, ChatGPT, or Claude)
- Request text extraction
Method 3: Built-in Windows 11 OCR
For Windows 11 users:
- Take screenshot with Snipping Tool
- Click the text icon in Snipping Tool
- Text is automatically extracted
- Copy directly to clipboard
Image source: All Things How
Image source: MundoBytes
Method 4: Browser Developer Tools
- Press F12 to open Developer Tools
- Go to "Elements" tab
- Find the text in HTML
- Copy from source code
Image source: Microsoft Edge Documentation
Limitations & Important Considerations
What This Method CAN'T Do:
- Extract from videos or audio
- Maintain perfect formatting on complex layouts
- Process extremely small text (under 8pt font)
- Extract image files as images
Accuracy:
- Handwritten text: 60-70% accuracy
- Low-resolution images: May have errors
- Multiple languages: Works but verify results
- Special characters: Usually extracted correctly
Real-World Example Workflow
Scenario: You need to extract your own Slack conversation for personal documentation
Step 1: Prepare (30 seconds)
- Open your Slack conversation
- Scroll to the first message you want
- Install GoFullPage (one-time)
Step 2: Capture (1 minute)
- Click GoFullPage icon
- Wait for image generation
- Right-click → Copy Image
Step 3: Extract (1 minute)
- Open gemini.google.com
- Paste screenshot
- Type: "Extract all messages"
- Copy the results
Step 4: Use (varies)
- Paste into Word or Notion
- Archive for personal records
- Create backup documentation
Total time: 3-4 minutes
Pro Tips for Better Results
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For Long Pages:
- Zoom to 80-90% before capturing
- Results in clearer OCR extraction
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For Low Contrast:
- Switch to light mode before capturing
- Improves extraction accuracy
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For Multiple Screenshots:
- Number your captures
- Tell AI to combine them in order
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For Verification:
- Compare extracted text with original
- Takes 2-3 minutes for quality check
Conclusion
By following this two-step workflow, you can overcome technical restrictions and interact with your own content in meaningful ways. Whether you're a professional documenting conversations, a student saving your own notes, or a content creator backing up your work—this method provides a reliable, free solution.
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