--- title: "MolDraw Snip Chrome Extension | Snip Any Molecule Image to an Editable Structure" url: https://www.moldraw.com/chrome-addon description: "The MolDraw Chrome and Edge addon lets you click-and-drag over any molecule image in a paper, PDF or web page, or upload an image, and opens the editable structure in MolDraw. Now on the Chrome Web Store." lang: en publisher: Scidart Academy generated: 2026-10-31 --- Now on the Chrome Web Store # Snip any molecule. Edit it in MolDraw. The MolDraw addon for Chrome and Edge turns any structure image on a web page or PDF into an editable molecule. Click the icon, drag a box around the structure like a snipping tool, and MolDraw opens with the result ready to edit. [Add to Chrome](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/moldraw-snip-%E2%80%93-molecule-i/ikpoknibhlbpgolhbpkgdadaejjjajme) [How to use it](https://www.moldraw.com/blog/moldraw-snip-chrome-extension-guide.html) Google Chrome Microsoft Edge Web pages · PDFs · Slides journal.example.org/articles/phenol J. Org. Chem. · 2024, 89, 1204 Fused aromatics from a two-step coupling L. Berger, A. Okonkwo, M. Chen **Abstract.** The figure is naphthalene, captured from the page. Figure 1. Naphthalene. 1 MolDraw Scanning structure… Oc1ccccc1 [Open in MolDraw](https://www.moldraw.com/?smiles=Oc1ccccc1) Don't draw structures from scratch. Take a screenshot and it becomes editable, or upload an image. ![Google Chrome](https://www.moldraw.com/browsers/chrome.png) ![Microsoft Edge](https://www.moldraw.com/browsers/edge.png) Extensions coming soon ![PowerPoint](https://www.moldraw.com/extensions/powerpoint.png) ![Word](https://www.moldraw.com/extensions/word.png) ![Google Slides](https://www.moldraw.com/extensions/slides.png) Try it: drag a box over the structure in the mock page. ## How it works Three steps, nothing to draw by hand. The addon behaves like the Windows Snip tool, but the result is chemistry you can edit. ### Click the MolDraw icon From any tab: a paper on a publisher site, a PDF in the browser, lecture slides, Wikipedia, a supplier catalogue. The page dims and the cursor turns into a crosshair. The page is frozen so nothing scrolls under you. ### Drag a box around the structure Only the region you select is captured, at your screen's full resolution, exactly as you see it on screen — including anything inside modals or image lightboxes. ### Open it in MolDraw The snip becomes an editable structure. MolDraw opens in a new tab: change substituents, add reagents, export to SVG, PNG, MOL or copy to Word. You can also upload an image. ## What you get Built for people who read papers all day and redraw far too many structures. Capture ### Snip, not screenshot Click-and-drag selection with a live size read-out. Works on HiDPI displays and with browser zoom without offset. Esc cancels at any time. Recognise ### Screenshot or upload Take a screenshot of a structure, or upload an image. It becomes an editable molecule in MolDraw, including figures with more than one structure. Edit ### Straight into MolDraw The result opens in the editor you already use, with the SMILES available to copy. Reactions open in MolDraw's reaction mode. Privacy ### Nothing stored by MolDraw The snip opens in MolDraw as an editable structure. MolDraw does not keep a copy of the page. Browsers ### Chrome and Edge Manifest V3 extension. Identical behaviour in Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge on Windows, macOS and Linux. Shortcut ### Alt + Shift + M Start a capture without reaching for the toolbar. The keys can be changed in your browser's extension shortcuts. ## Details What the addon needs and what it does with it. | Availability | On the [Chrome Web Store](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/moldraw-snip-%E2%80%93-molecule-i/ikpoknibhlbpgolhbpkgdadaejjjajme). Install it in Chrome, or in Edge with “Allow extensions from other stores”. | | --- | --- | | Price | The addon is free to install. Image to structure is part of MolDraw Pro, with a monthly scan allowance. | | Setup | Install the addon and sign in from its popup with your MolDraw account. No API keys needed. | | Input | Any region of a web page or in-browser PDF, selected by dragging. Captured at device pixel resolution. | | Output | Molfile, InChI or SMILES (single molecules, multiple structures, reactions with `>>`), opened as an editable structure in MolDraw. | | Permissions | `activeTab`, `scripting`, `storage`, `identity` and `contextMenus`, plus access to `www.moldraw.com`. Runs only when you start a capture; no background tracking. [Privacy policy](https://www.moldraw.com/pages/chrome-addon-privacy.html). | | Browsers | Google Chrome 116+, Microsoft Edge 116+ (Manifest V3). | ## Roadmap Where the addon is today. Done ### In-page snipping Crosshair overlay, page freeze, HiDPI-accurate crop, open in MolDraw. Chrome and Edge. Done ### Chrome Web Store listing Live on the [Chrome Web Store](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/moldraw-snip-%E2%80%93-molecule-i/ikpoknibhlbpgolhbpkgdadaejjjajme): one-click install with automatic updates. Later ### Right-click on images Convert an image directly from the context menu, plus batch capture of figures with several structures. ## Frequently asked ### Does it work on PDFs? Yes. For PDFs opened in the browser the addon captures the visible page and lets you drag the snip box over the structure. ### Does it work in Microsoft Edge? Yes. Edge is built on the same extension platform as Chrome, so the addon is identical there. ### Can I upload an image instead of snipping? Yes. Take a screenshot and it becomes editable, or upload an image of the structure. ### What if the structure is recognised incorrectly? The structure opens in MolDraw where you can fix it in seconds. A tighter crop with only one structure and no caption gives the best results. ### Will there be Word and PowerPoint addons? Yes, they are in development. See the [addons page](https://www.moldraw.com/addons). Want early access, or a feature the addon should have? Tell us — we implement relevant requests fast. [Request a feature](https://www.moldraw.com/community/features)