Software to Convert Scanned Handwriting to Text

shawn130c

Senior member
Sep 20, 2005
258
0
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Note sure if ICR is the right term, but I am looking for software that can convert scanned paper that has handwriting. Essentailly I need software that will convert paper with handwriting that will be scanned and than convert it to editable text.

I have found a lot of OCR software but most do not seem to mention anything about ICR. I am looking at ABBYY Finereader or Omnipage for OCR software and it would be nice if they also supported ICR, but I can't seem to get a clear answer.

-Requirments:
Convert Scanned Handwriting Notes to Editable Text
XP or Vista compatiable
User Friendly

Thanks,
Shawn
 

ForumMaster

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2005
7,792
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i don't know if it's even possible. handwriting, unlike fonts, are different from each person. getting a program to read the handwriting without teaching it extensively and haveing the handwriting be extremely repetitive in the style is pretty difficult. i have used ABBYY's software in the past. it converted what it could into text. the reast was scanned as an image.

edit: whoops. OrooOroo is right. forgot about tablets. still, from i remember ABBYY mostly turning handwriting into images. maybe it's improved since?
 

0roo0roo

No Lifer
Sep 21, 2002
64,795
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its possible. tablet pcs do it.
accuracy is nother matter...so i dunno if any ocr type software is out
 

Fardringle

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2000
9,199
764
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If the handwriting is very clean, clear, and in straight lines, an OCR program like Omnipage or Finereader might be able to read some of it. If it is anything like my handwriting, the OCR program will probably want you to install a foreign language pack first... ;)
 

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
Super Moderator
Mar 4, 2000
27,370
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106
If the scanning doesn't work with enough accuracy (if you have to do a lot of editing, it is sometimes faster to just transcribe it manually), consider reading it aloud into something like Naturally Speaking and get the text from that.

Handwriting is so variable that training would be difficult to say the least. I have trouble just reading some people's writing.

This Google query relates:

Scan
 

shawn130c

Senior member
Sep 20, 2005
258
0
71
Thanks for the replies guys.

I was hoping ABBYY or Omnipage had some type of plugin or something. But Caractell Softwriting looks like it should do it, or I can always get a tablet...

Thanks,
Shawn