Microsoft works 8.5 word processor

mel3986 · #1 April 22nd, 2012, 06:03 PM

Hi there, I don't know if this is the right form for this question. I have scanned a form into word processor and trying to type in the blanks on this form. I might be doing something wrong but I cannot type in the blanks. The question is can I do this, if so, how?

Thank you for your time.
Michael

**Miz** · #2 April 22nd, 2012, 06:57 PM

Scanners render everything into picture format unless told otherwise. So what you have now is a picture of the document you scanned.

In order for it to be a document you can edit or a form you can type on, you will need to use OCR (Optical Character Recognition) software to rescan it. Most scanners include a basic OCR program on the scanner's installation disc.

If you can't find the disc, go to the scanner manufacturer's website and see if you can find their OCR software for download.

Once you have the OCR program installed, open it and read its Help files to get you started.

**smurfy** · #3 April 23rd, 2012, 11:53 PM

Alternatively, if your objective is just to print the completed form, you can insert text boxes over top of the fields in the image and type into the text box.
So the scanned form is a background image and each fillable field has a text box floating over their relative place in the image.
Make the text boxes transparent and borderless and you shouldn't be able to tell on the resulting printed document.

pip22 · #4 April 24th, 2012, 01:59 PM

"Alternatively, if your objective is just to print the completed form, you can insert text boxes over top of the fields in the image"

I don't think the Works word processor will enable the OP do that as it's usually only Desktop Publishing software which has a tool to create text boxes.

**smurfy** · #5 April 25th, 2012, 02:07 AM

Word or Works 8.5 WP have floating text box capability. I know 8.5 and above removed word art and Draw functionality but a couple of questions on Microsoft.com e.g. indicate text boxes are still present in this version.

Granted it's not the best way to do it, but it does work.

mel3986 · #6 April 29th, 2012, 06:53 PM

Thanks to all who replied to my posting. Your information helped out a lot. I solve my problem I found the OCR and used it. Thank you again