How to Edit Text After Scanning

Scanning a document is like taking a snapshot picture of the text and making a picture file of it on the hard drive. Software converts the file into another type of file and makes the text manageable. Optical recognition software is available with many scanners and printers.

Things You'll Need

• OCR software
• Scanner
• Computer

Instructions

1. Find the page or area of text. Make certain the text is free of contaminants or anything that may alter or smudge the text while you scan it.

2. Wipe down the scanner's glass surface to remove any dust or debris that may alter the text's image after scanning. Glass cleaner is an appropriate substance to use.

3. Consider the file format for the newly scanned text. Most OCR software converts the imaged text into a rich text, or rtf, file. There are many other file formats to choose from so pick the one that suits the file's needs.

4. Save the file to a folder location with a name that is recognizable. Save the file to a network location if the text is accessible by a large group of people.

Tips & Warnings

• Increase the dot per inch of the text image being scanned. This makes the scanned image clearer.

• Read over the scanned text after it has been converted. OCR software in not perfect and can transpose or even omit letters.