Buzz
If you have Word 2007 or a newer version, you can use it to edit a scanned document. This method is much faster than retyping the entire text. To enable this feature and convert your scanned document into an editable text, follow these steps below.
Steps
Activate Document Imaging Tool
Find the list of installed programs in the Control Panel.
- For Windows 7 or Vista: Go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features.
- For Windows XP: Go to Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs > Remove a Program.
Select your Microsoft Office version, then click Change. Your version of Word may be part of the Microsoft Office suite or displayed simply as Microsoft Office Word.
Click Add or Remove Features, then choose Continue.
Expand the Office Tools list, then click Microsoft Office Document Imaging and select Run all from my Computer to launch everything from your computer.
Click Continue and wait for the configuration to be fully set up.
Convert scanned documents into editable text
Scan and/or open the document in Paint.FileFrom Scanner or Camera
ScanBlack and white image or text
Click File > Save or Save As if needed.
Select the TIFF format from the dropdown list and click Save. You can now close the Paint window.
Open the Microsoft Office Document Imaging tool. Go to Start > All Programs > Microsoft Office > Microsoft Office Tools and select Microsoft Office Document Imaging from the list, or simply use the search function with the keyword 'microsoft office document imaging'.
Open the .tiff file. Select File > Open and locate the file you saved.
Press CTRL+A to select all and CTRL+C to copy. This action will trigger the text recognition feature.
Open a new Word document and press CTRL+V to paste.
Correct any spelling errors if necessary.
Tips
- Scanned documents in plain text will convert more effectively than forms (containing boxes, logos, etc.), as those formats may lose their structure during conversion.
