Bringing TAC text into Unicode
TAC is different from the other formats here because it does not borrow ordinary Latin letters. It stores Tamil in private-use character positions. Unicode is what practically every current browser, phone and word processor expects, so this page takes text stored in TAC and rewrites it as standard Unicode Tamil. The words stay exactly the same. Only the way they are stored changes.
Is it really TAC?
Legacy Tamil is easy to spot once the font is gone, because the letters on screen no longer mean anything. Because this format uses private-use characters rather than readable Latin letters, there is no tidy string to quote here. In TAC, தமிழ் is three private-use code points. Those characters have no meaning outside the TAC font, so in a normal font they show as empty boxes or nothing at all. That makes missing-font problems easy to spot, but it also means you need the font to read TAC output.
Converting step by step
Paste the TAC text into the input box, run the conversion and read the Unicode Tamil that comes out. If you are working from a big file, start with a paragraph you know well. The word and character counters under each box are handy for checking that nothing was lost on the way.
A quick review before you reuse it
Proofread the first few lines, then look at names, numbers and any punctuation. Pure consonants with the pulli, long vowels and joined letters deserve a second look. If something is off, test the problem word on its own; that usually shows whether the issue came from the source text or from a different format than the one you picked.
Where this comes up
People usually land here with a specific problem: an old school or office file that nobody can read any more, a book or magazine archive, a set of names for a database, or a family document that was typed years ago. Whatever the source, the job is the same. Get the text out as plain characters, convert it, and carry on in a modern editor.
Small habits that save time
Work from the original text whenever you can, not from a screenshot or a re-typed copy. Convert a short sample first and keep the original file untouched. If a document mixes several fonts, convert each section with its own tool. Clear both boxes before pasting something new so that old text does not sneak into the next job.
Why move to Unicode at all
With Unicode you can finally treat old Tamil as ordinary text. It can be searched, quoted, edited and shared without worrying whether the other person has TAC. That alone is usually reason enough to convert once and move on.
Related tools
If you ever need to go the other way, try Unicode to TAC. To write fresh Tamil with an English keyboard, use English to Tamil typing, or browse all Tamil font converters.
TAC to Unicode: common questions
Why does TAC text show as empty boxes?
Private-use characters have no standard appearance. They only look like Tamil in the font designed for them. The converter reads the underlying code points, so the boxes are not a problem for conversion.
Can I read TAC output without the font?
No. Without the TAC font in the application where you paste it, the characters will not look like Tamil. Keep the Unicode version as your readable master.
Will the conversion change what my text says?
No. Only the way the characters are stored changes, not the language or the wording. Even so, read names, numbers and punctuation once after converting.
Is my text uploaded anywhere?
No. The conversion runs in your browser on this page, so the text you paste is processed on your own device. It is still sensible to avoid pasting anything confidential on a shared computer.
Why does my converted text still look wrong?
Check three things in order: that you chose the format that matches the original, that the text was copied rather than retyped, and that the direction of the tool (legacy to Unicode or the reverse) is the one you meant.
Is it free, and do I need an account?
It is free and there is no sign-up. Paste your text, convert it, then copy it or download it as a .txt file.
Will bold, colours and fonts carry over?
No. The converter deals with plain text only. Fonts, sizes, colours and layout have to be reapplied in your editor afterwards.