Short answerA scan is a picture of text, not text. If you cannot select words with your cursor, many platforms cannot read the file. Run OCR or retype the content into a text or DOCX file and upload that.
How to tell
Open the PDF and try to select a sentence. If you cannot, it is probably a scan. At least one platform documents that scanned PDFs without a text layer cannot be used for training; check your platform's file rules.
Fixes
- Run OCR with a tool you trust (many PDF apps include it) to create a searchable PDF.
- Or export the text and save it as TXT or DOCX.
- Proofread numbers and names, since OCR makes mistakes.
- Re-upload and run a test question from that file.
Prevent it next time
Keep originals as text (DOCX, Markdown, TXT) when you can. See backing up knowledge files.
Check your GPT before you move it
Paste your instructions, file names and Actions schema into the free checker. It runs in your browser and builds a portable bundle. Nothing is uploaded.
Open the free checker