Are there scanners that can read text and output as a doc/txt file instead of as a pic?

[SirDante]

I'd like to buy one if they exist.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

This isn't really a function of the scanner, but the software. Usually refered to as OCR (optical character recognition I think). Just scan with the little program, and you got yer self a nice little text document. I used my freebie PaperPort software with my visioneer and it worked fine for what I needed. If you are scanning law documents or something you may need somethin' nicer.

 

[BornStar]

My parents' HP one does. The model number escapes me at the moment. It isn't terribly accurate though, you end up reading through the entire document anyway. I think it's in the 5000 series.

 

[notfred]

The full version of acrobat comes with OCR (or did, last time I checked) stuff.

I've never had OCR work really that great, though. It messes up a lot.

 

[spanky]

as the other have said... what u need is OCR software.

 

[FrustratedUser]

In case nobody mentioned it before; You need OCR software.

 

[SirDante]

Thanks guys. So is it advisable I get a better scanner for better results? I need to go thru a lot of text and would hate to go thru it all and correct every other word.

 

[Orbius]

Canon scanners come with the full version of Omni Page Pro arguably the best OCR software, most other scanners come with basically useless Lite versions of OCR software.
So i'd advise looking into Canon scanners.

 

[ThaGrandCow]

OCR: Learn it, live it, love it. Computer text I've had great experiences with. It's handwritten text the software gets confused on.

 

[edjam]

Scansoft Textbridge I find is very very accurate.

 

[FrustratedUser]

<< Thanks guys. So is it advisable I get a better scanner for better results? I need to go thru a lot of text and would hate to go thru it all and correct every other word. >>



No! Keep the scanner and get better OCR software.