5.1

33
Table
of Contents
CHAPTER 5
Converting a Scanned
Item to Text
A scanned item is an image. Even the text on a scanned item is simply a
picture of the text, and you can’t edit it as you would text in a word
processing document. Using optical character recognition (OCR)
software, the PaperPort software can convert those text “pictures” into
real text that you can then edit using a word processing application.
The PaperPort software includes the Visioneer OCR software so you can
convert scanned items without having to buy your own OCR software.
After scanning an item, you can simply “OCR it,” and then work with
the converted text in your word processing application.
If you already own OCR software, you can use either it or PaperPort’s
built-in OCR software to convert scanned items.
WHAT IS OCR?
OCR is the computer’s way of recognizing that a picture of an “S” is
really the letter S, that the picture of a “W” is really the letter W, and so
on for each letter’s picture in a scanned item.
The OCR software looks at each letter on a page, and if it recognizes the
letter’s shape converts it into the appropriate text character. When the
analysis of the page is complete, the OCR software puts the text
characters onto a page in about the same format as the pictures of text
on the original scanned item.