Handwriting directly into PDF / documents

metroplex

Golden Member
Jul 24, 2001
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Is there any way I can easily input handwriting directly into Word documents and PDF documents, and save it as-is? I am not really looking for OCR capability (just to recognize the handwriting for search indexes, not necessarily converting it to computer text) but it would be a plus.

Do I need a Tablet PC or some other device? I do a lot of research for work and school, and it would be great if I didn't have to print PDF files just so I could jot notes and lose it in the future. I save a lot of documents electronically to save on physical storage, but I haven't found an easy way to write directly on those documents (and choose different colored pens/highlighting).

Any ideas?
 

Ken g6

Programming Moderator, Elite Member
Moderator
Dec 11, 1999
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It sounds like you have two different (somewhat complementary) needs here:

1. Handwriting input:

There are several ways of doing this. You can scan paper, but it sounds like you don't want that. A tablet PC will certainly take handwriting, but there are pen input devices for regular PCs as well. If you're really cheap, it's probably possible to mount a pen on a mouse...it would come out looking vaguely like this.

2. Inserting in documents:

In Word, get help on how to "Draw a freeform shape". I have an old version of Word, but the principle should be the same.

In PDF, I don't know of a way to draw; but Foxit Reader lets you type text on a document. The free version adds some generic text ("This document was edited with the free Foxit reader", or some such), but that shouldn't matter for notes you'd throw away anyway.
 

metroplex

Golden Member
Jul 24, 2001
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The tablets seem to fit my idea of what I need, but how do you know where the pen is in relation to the screen?

As part of my research, I may have to read dozens of PDF documents but keep them handy in case I need to reference them. I usually like to write notes on the print outs so I can reference them - but with large projects, this becomes too time consuming. It's more difficult when the PDF is about 500 pages and I can't really print it out. I am trying to figure out an easy way where I can write handwritten notes (in different colors) or highlight areas of a PDF in free form, then save it and reference it later on.