Scanning in a form...

[MikeO]

I regularly fill in IAM forms - they aren't Word documents, just hard copy, so I have to hand write them.

Is it possible to scan a form in and convert it so that I can fill it in on the computer, then print it out so it looks like a typewritten copy? (or email it, to save time).

I've got a combined printer/scanner/fax HP5500 thing - I'm sure there must be a way of doing this...

Cheers

Mike

 

[stumpi]

Not an expert reply Mike, but, I dont htink its possible, as, when you scan in, the computer then treats the scan as an image.

Thats what I've found anyway, I could be wrong.

 

[Iain Hogg]

As Stumpi says, but, if you spend long enough with MS Word it would be possible to create the form as a template.






.... and no, I'm not offering to do it for you

 

[pragmatix]

It is possible with some forms of OCR (optical character recogntion) software, I've got some round here but cant remember where, that I have used with some limited sucsess.

Will post details when I find it, came with my scanner (not used it for years as icant get a driver for XP) no doubt some others will beat me to it.

Pete A

 

[ralphy]

Mike

Perhaps it would be possible to make up a template in Word, then you could type in the info and then print it onto the IAM form.

I seem to recall this is how some legal documents are printed on.

 

[Deleted account W]

Did this a long while ago with electrical test documents for work.

Scan the form as a jpg.

Paste it into a word doc and make it fill the page.

In word you have an option to create text boxes and place them anywhere on the page. Create text boxes and place them on top of the spaces you would normally write in on the form jpg.

You can format each text box with whatever font you want.

Now save this document as a dot (template) file.

Then whenever you click file/new it gives you the option of opening this template file instead of a blank doc.

Might work for your forms Mike

 

[Fanum]

Mike.....yes, definately possible...you'll need a modernish bit of OCR (optical character recognition) software, but a lot of them do scan, interpret and create tables for you.


I believe Paperport 10 will do the job....haven't used it meself (in fact not bothered with any OCR stuff for several years) but i'm sure you'll know exactly what to do to get a copy

 

[Greg Masters]

Mike

My fifty-quid scanner came with OCR, if you send me a .jpg of the file, I'll have a go for you.

Greg

 

[MikeO]

Okay Greg - that'll be great - I'll just have to scan it now

I'll PM you with a link to it (I'll upload it to SmugMug)...

Mike

 

[Garfieldus]

It might be worth your while checking out editable PDF files. Fill in your fields and print....