Can OneNote convert photo handwriting to text?

Yes, OneNote has the capability to convert photos of handwritten text to digital text. This feature can be incredibly useful for digitizing notes, capturing information from whiteboards, or saving text from other handwritten materials. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to use this feature in OneNote:

Steps to Convert Handwritten Text to Digital Text in OneNote

1. Insert the Image: Start by inserting the photo with the handwritten text into your OneNote notebook. You can do this by using the 'Insert' tab and selecting 'Pictures' to upload an image from your computer, or 'Camera' to take a new photo.

2. Right-Click the Image: Once the image is in your notebook, right-click on it. A context menu will appear.

3. Select 'Copy Text from Picture': From the context menu, select the option 'Copy Text from Picture'. OneNote will then use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to extract the text from the image.

4. Paste the Text: You can now paste the extracted text anywhere within OneNote or any other text editor by using the paste command (Ctrl + V or right-click and select 'Paste').

Important Considerations

• Accuracy: The accuracy of the OCR process can vary based on the clarity of the handwriting and the quality of the photo. Neater handwriting and clearer images will yield better results.

• Languages: Make sure OneNote OCR supports the language of the handwritten text.

• Post-Editing: Some manual corrections may be necessary after the OCR process, especially if the handwriting is messy or the photo quality is poor.

If you need a specialized service for converting handwriting in PDFs or images to editable text, you can use HandwritingOCR.

Alternatives to OneNote

If OneNote does not meet your needs or if you experience issues with its OCR capabilities, there are other applications and services designed specifically for converting handwritten text to digital text. Some of these include:

• Google Keep: A note-taking app from Google that also supports OCR for handwritten text.
• Adobe Acrobat: Useful for converting scanned documents, including handwritten notes, into editable text.
• HandwritingOCR: A specialized service for converting handwritten text in PDFs or images to editable text, available at HandwritingOCR.

Overall, OneNote is a robust tool for converting handwritten photos to digital text, but there are several other alternatives you can also consider based on your specific needs.