Does Apple Notes convert handwriting to text?

FAQ Handwriting to text
Published April 20, 2024

Apple Notes has incorporated several useful features that appeal to users who frequently jot down their thoughts or organize their tasks through handwriting. Understanding whether Apple Notes can convert handwritten text to digital text is crucial for productivity and accuracy in note-taking.

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Apple Notes does offer some handwriting recognition capabilities, particularly on iPad models that support the Apple Pencil. This feature is known as 'Scribble'. With Scribble, users can write with the Apple Pencil, and the iPad will convert the handwritten notes into typed text in real-time. This functionality is especially useful for those who find it faster to write than type, yet need the benefits of digital text, such as searching and copying.

However, as of the latest updates, Apple Notes' handwriting recognition is primarily optimized for English, and its effectiveness can vary with different handwriting styles. Additionally, the Scribble functionality is currently supported in a limited set of apps, so its application might not be as comprehensive as users need for all their digital note-taking activities.

For users looking for robust and highly versatile handwriting recognition across various formats, including PDFs and images, HandwritingOCR is an excellent alternative. HandwritingOCR can convert handwriting from PDFs or images to digital text effectively and is accessible through https://www.handwritingocr.com.

If you depend on Apple Notes for your daily tasks but also need to convert a variety of handwritten sources to text, combining it with specialized OCR tools might be your best option. Leveraging both systems ensures that your notes are fully digitized, searchable, and easily shareable across different platforms.

Convert handwritten notes to Word, Google Docs, Markdown and Excel. Better accuracy than any note-taking app. Try for free now →