How do I type on a scanned document saved in RTF

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I am having trouble typing on a document that was scanned into word then
saved into RTF format. I saved it, closed it, reopened it, and the only thing
I can get it to do is move the whole page around. I know I am missing a step
somewhere, how can I type on it now? Thanks
 
Just because you saved it with an .rtf extension doesn't make it text. Did
you use OCR software?
 
You don't. What are you trying to? Are you trying to create an on line form?

--
Terry Farrell - Word MVP
http://word.mvps.org/

:I am having trouble typing on a document that was scanned into word then
: saved into RTF format. I saved it, closed it, reopened it, and the only
thing
: I can get it to do is move the whole page around. I know I am missing a
step
: somewhere, how can I type on it now? Thanks
 
I have not used any software, all I did was scan it from my photosmart and
saved it from the printer to word, then I wanted to beable to type on it like
fill it out and then print it with the spaces filled in. It is a form for
work. I got in contact with HP person in chat, and thy told me to save it as
RTF so what did I do wrong? Can you walk me through what to do?

JoAnn Paules said:
Just because you saved it with an .rtf extension doesn't make it text. Did
you use OCR software?

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]




lindsay135 said:
I am having trouble typing on a document that was scanned into word then
saved into RTF format. I saved it, closed it, reopened it, and the only
thing
I can get it to do is move the whole page around. I know I am missing a
step
somewhere, how can I type on it now? Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
I have not used any software, all I did was scan it from my photosmart and
saved it from the printer to word, then I wanted to beable to type on it like
fill it out and then print it with the spaces filled in. It is a form for
work. I got in contact with HP person in chat, and thy told me to save it as
RTF so what did I do wrong? Can you walk me through what to do?
 
A scanned document is just a picture. You must use OCR software to convert
it to editable text. Your scanner probably came with some kind of OCR
software; read the manual.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA

Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so
all may benefit.
 
What is OCR software? I read the manual and there is no mention of it? Is it
something I need to buy separately? Thanks
 
You need to scan it in as text. Just renaming a file xxx.rtf gets you
nowhere.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]




lindsay135 said:
I have not used any software, all I did was scan it from my photosmart and
saved it from the printer to word, then I wanted to beable to type on it
like
fill it out and then print it with the spaces filled in. It is a form for
work. I got in contact with HP person in chat, and thy told me to save it
as
RTF so what did I do wrong? Can you walk me through what to do?

JoAnn Paules said:
Just because you saved it with an .rtf extension doesn't make it text.
Did
you use OCR software?

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]




lindsay135 said:
I am having trouble typing on a document that was scanned into word then
saved into RTF format. I saved it, closed it, reopened it, and the only
thing
I can get it to do is move the whole page around. I know I am missing a
step
somewhere, how can I type on it now? Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Specifically which scanner are you using?

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]
 
OCR software is optical character reading software which converts scanned
text images (which is what you have) to editable text. Most scanner packages
include at least rudimentary OCR software tools. If not you'll have to buy
some to do this (Finereader is probably the best).

However, scanning a form to enter text into it is going to be a beast of a
job with OCR software - unless you have the version of Finereader that comes
with the form filling tool, which makes the job child's play. Your best bet
would be to set the layout of your inserted graphic to 'behind text' then
build a form over it using tables.

For a one-off it is more sensible to use a pen!

--
<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>
Graham Mayor - Word MVP

My web site www.gmayor.com

<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>
 
Graham Mayor said:
OCR software is optical character reading software which converts scanned
text images (which is what you have) to editable text. Most scanner
packages include at least rudimentary OCR software tools. If not you'll
have to buy some to do this (Finereader is probably the best).

However, scanning a form to enter text into it is going to be a beast of a
job with OCR software - unless you have the version of Finereader that
comes with the form filling tool, which makes the job child's play. Your
best bet would be to set the layout of your inserted graphic to 'behind
text' then build a form over it using tables.

For a one-off it is more sensible to use a pen!
Click to expand...
(Gasp!)
 
I take it that the gasp was a response to the suggestion to user a pen.
People seem to forget that computers are supposed to help save work, not
make more of it!

It is also worth noting that many forms are intended to be filled with a
pen, so the recipient can perform hand writing analysis. This is especially
true of job applications. A computer filled response to a request for a
handwritten form will ensure the form goes straight into the shredder.
--
<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>
Graham Mayor - Word MVP

My web site www.gmayor.com

<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>
 
Don't know if it will help the original poster but I scan forms, save and
open a blank Word document. I then insert the form in the header, resizing
to the Word page as necessary. When I close the header, I can type in the
appropriate places. Having completed the form, I delete the background form
and print my document onto the original.

I would only recommend this method if you often have to fill in this type of
form. Otherwise, use a pen as recommended!
 
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