Solved Is it possible to scan from HP printer to Word 2013??

[2harts4ever]

Hi,

For the record I posted this same question on the HP Support forum but haven't had any replies so I thought I would give it a try here in case someone watching has run into this same problem trying to scan directly into Microsoft Word 2013 from a similar printer.

Because of a major computer crash I recently had to purchase a new computer and as a result I also had to buy a new Printer because my older Photosmart was not compatible with my new system.

I now am using a HP Pavilion 23-g017c (x64) AMD A6-5200 APU w/Radeon HD Graphics, running Windows 8.1 and using IE 11 with Zone Alarm Firewall and Antivirus& Spyware.

My new printer is a HP Deskjet 2544 All-in-One.

I am trying to see if there is any way I can add a new shortcut to my Printer scanning options which will enable me to scan a document to my computer besides the two options available now (PDF and TIF).

I would like to be able to scan directly into my Microsoft Office 2013 Word program if possible.

The reason being is because I find it easier to edit and then print from my Word program than a PDF program.

Is this possible?

Thanks and regards,
2harts4ever

 

[Nuccii]

Can't be done with the OCR software supplied from HP. It may be on very expensive paid OCR software versions but not sure.
About all you can do is scan to PDF as usual, save the file and use one of the many free online PDF to Word converters that you can Google.

 

[2harts4ever]

Hi again Nuccii,

If you keep answering my posts I will have to put you on my payroll ...lol

Seriously, I appreciate you taking the time to help my old 'brain-housing group' which is getting less reliable each and every day!

I Googled as you suggested but almost everything I found was a trial version.

Do you have any suggestions for a free PDF to Word (2013) converter that will simply allow me to edit the text once the conversion is complete?


Thanks and regards,
2harts4ever

 

[Slartybart]

OneNote is reported to do an excellent job with PDF conversions. I think some of the features in Office have been incorporated in that application (MODI perhaps). The question then becomes Can I scan directly into OneNote in an editable form and save that as a Word2013 or RTF format.

I don't have the answers, but if you try it and it works, please post back.

Thanks.

 

[2harts4ever]

Morning Slartybart,

OneNote is a brand new application for me as are most of the applications with Office 2013. I will check it out when time permits and post back.

If any other readers know please feel free to join in the conversation.

Thanks and regards,
2harts4ever

 

[Nuccii]

Hi again Nuccii,

I Googled as you suggested but almost everything I found was a trial version.

Do you have any suggestions for a free PDF to Word (2013) converter that will simply allow me to edit the text once the conversion is complete?


Thanks and regards,
2harts4ever

You might try Nitro (Convert Now)
https://www.pdftoword.com/

Another Convert on Line free:
Convert PDF to Word Online Free | Convert PDF to DOC Online Free | Convert PDF to DOCX Online Free

Or
Free PDF to Word Converter - Free download and software reviews - CNET Download.com

Be careful not to let them install unwanted files.

 

[Slartybart]

There are some good PDF readers that do a lot of things, some better than others, some more than others.

Nuccii pointed to PDFtoWord, so I thought I'd augment that suggestion with the free NitroPDF reader.

There was a good discussion on PDF readers a while ago, the OneNote reference might be in that thread as well.
I'll post a link if I can find it.

I which I had more experience with the newer MSO programs, so I could give you a definitive answer. Someone else might know the way to scan directly into Word or canonical format (RTF) that could be opened in Word. Until that person posts, you can experiment with OneNote and other suggestions.

I agree completely with Nuccii - pay attention when you install free software to avoid installing any 'extras' that are cross marketing and not not part of the program you want to install. These are mostly browsers, browser add-ons, or toolbars. Just untick the checkboxes for anything that is not part of the program you're installing.

If you find that you can scan directly to RTF, then that might be the best option. MSO has some built in OCR, but things change around and that's why I suggested looking at OneNote.

That's all I have, unless I find that post discussing PDF readers.

Good luck, please post your findings, it will help me know what can be done with the newer MSO.

Thanks,

Bill
.

 

[Sven1458]

I have office 2013, and I can import , open and edit .pdf files without any outside conversion programs. after editing, I can then save them again as .pdf.

If you just have word 2013, it may be different

if you can scan in pdf, you should be fine
Sven

 

[Slartybart]

I have office 2013, and I can import , open and edit .pdf files without any outside conversion programs. after editing, I can then save them again as .pdf.

If you just have word 2013, it may be different

if you can scan in pdf, you should be fine
Sven

Good to know Sven,

What Office application are you using to do that? Word?

Can you scan directly into Word and save it as a Word document?

Since you have the hands on knowledge and the same MS Office, could you provide a step-by-step

Thanks,

Bill
.

 

[Sven1458]

Hi Bill,
No I can not scan directly in to word. I have an old scanner and it will not scan to pdf either. But the scanner in question will scan to pdf and then you just import it into word.
Open word, click on file and open, go to where the pdf file is, like computer/documents/xxx.pdf and open it. it will open in protected view, but on the banner is a button to click that says "enable editing". as I stated above, I can then save it as a .docx or .pdf.

Hope this helps
Sven

 

[2harts4ever]

Hi everybody,

Finally got a chance to get back on the computer. I appreciate everyone trying to help. As of now I still haven't tried experimenting with OneNote. The reason being is I was searching the web and found this article: How to Convert Text from a PDF File into an Editable Word 2013 Document

It actually worked on one of the PDFs that I already had on my hard drive. However, the next two I tried I could get into Word but I couldn't edit them. When I would put my cursor in the area I wanted to edit I was getting a four pointed arrow instead of the normal straight line.

Someone asked if I just had Word or if I had the entire 2013 Office program. I have the entire Microsoft Office 2013 program.

Sven1458 said: it will open in protected view, but on the banner is a button to click that says "enable editing". I don't remember if the ones that failed for me said it was in Protected view or not and I don't recall a button that said "enable editing".

Hope we can figure this out.

Thanks and regards,
2harts4ever

 

[Slartybart]

.....
The reason being is I was searching the web and found this article: How to Convert Text from a PDF File into an Editable Word 2013 Document

It actually worked on one of the PDFs that I already had on my hard drive. However, the next two I tried I could get into Word but I couldn't edit them. When I would put my cursor in the area I wanted to edit I was getting a four pointed arrow instead of the normal straight line.
.....

The HowToGeek program converts TEXT in a PDF to Word, I think that's what Sven meant when he said you don't need anything special.

Try this: Open the first PDF document, the one that converted, directly with Word by right clicking it and selecting Open With -> Word. I'm not sure it will work, but give it a shot.

The other two PDF docs most likely contained scanned images, not text. Word could read it, but it was still just an image in Word (the four direction arrows hint at that).

There are plenty of ways to convert from one format to another format.
Optical character recognition (OCR) is a general term for the process of scanning an image and converting it to editable text.
See Google search results

I found the reference to OneNote I mentioned earlier, so that's something else for you to investigate as a solution.
OneNote - Copy Text from Image - Windows 7 Help Forums

I thought though that you were trying to scan directly into Word as editable text. I don't know if that's possible, but that doesn't mean it is impossible.. I guess you'll have to take the two step approach until someone comes along and says Sure, you can ... here's how

That's all I have .. good luck,

Bill
.

 

[Slartybart]

Thanks Sven, that's one step closer.

I wasn't aware Word could open PDF docs as text. I haven't used MSO for quite a while, but do read about it. I was glad to hear they finally opened up the formats a few years ago - that's probably when they added PDF as a format it could read as test.

You answered my question about saving as docx - thanks again.

Bill
.

 

[2harts4ever]

Morning Slartybart,

Try this: Open the first PDF document, the one that converted, directly with Word by right clicking it and selecting Open With -> Word. I'm not sure it will work, but give it a shot.

That still worked. It was a typed letter I scanned into my computer a few years back on my old Photosmart printer.

The other two PDF docs most likely contained scanned images, not text. Word could read it, but it was still just an image in Word (the four direction arrows hint at that).

Tried opening both of those the same way you suggested for the other one that I could open and edit but they still failed to be editable. The four directional arrows appeared. Both were from typed pages that I scanned from this new printer via the 'printer to computer' PDF option.

I will delve into checking out the OneNote option as soon as I clean out some of these 'honey-do's waiting for me. Even at 72 they don't seem to go away ...lol

I will post back if and when I get this settled one way or the other.

Thanks and regards,
2harts4ever

 

[DavidE]

This article explains how to scan directly into Word 2007, 2010, and 2013

Scan into Word

 

[2harts4ever]

Hi DavidE,

After checking out the link you provided I guess I will just have to be content to not be able to change a PDF file into a Word document to edit it. What you posted (both your link and the one for "idiots and macro" inside it) is miles over my 72-year-old 'brain housing group'...lol

However, I do appreciate you responding because your link might help someone with the same problem but who is more computer savvy than myself.

Thanks and regards,
2harts4ever

 

[DavidE]

You're welcome and understood.
I don't have Office 2013, I have Office 2010 and scanning is much easier.

 

[Slartybart]

Perhaps it might help if I unwind the thread a little bit.

The task, as I understand it, is to get a scanned document into Word as editable text. Returning to that presumption, you need to refocus on a scanned document with your new printer. Forget about PDF for the moment.

Scan the document into an image format (Color Picture, or Greyscale Picture)
- experiment with both, but I think Greyscale will work best for text.
- a higher resolution (300 or 600) will produce better character recognition

Then drag that scanned image (jpg, png, bmp) into OneNote as whs describes in the video tutorial
OneNote - Copy Text from Image

Follow the rest of the instructions given by whs (click an icon to convert to text, open word and paste)

The two PDF documents that won't open in Word as editable text:
These contain images and you have to extract (copy) the image out of the PDF document to employ the method in the OneNote tutorial.

Open one of the PDF documents with a PDF reader (Adobe, Nitro, etc). I use NitroPDF Reader, here's their descripton of the process

Content extraction

• Convert to plain text: Repurpose text easily by converting any PDF file to plain text format. Control the output by selecting whether you wish to retain paragraphs and headers/footers, as well as the ability to specify line-width by number of characters.
  
  
• Snapshot tool: The Snapshot tool allows you to select any on-screen area, regardless of content, and copy it directly to your Clipboard for quick and easy reuse of images, text, or anything within your PDF file.
  
  
• Extract images: Nitro Reader enables you to save all images contained in a PDF document as separate files to any folder or : estination without modifying the original PDF file. Specify the format (BMP, JPG, PNG, and TIF), differentiate between color and monochrome with separate options, and use the Extract Images tool to create an exhaustive inventory of graphical content from any PDF file. With intelligent extraction, Nitro Reader can even choose the most appropriate format for each image.
  ​

Nitro Reader features

Don't jump at Convert to plain text - it's very good but only works on TEXT in a PDF document. A PDF document with only an IMAGE of the text will NOT be converted to editable text.

I'm not sure how Snapshot applies to your requirements.

Extract images explains how NitroPDF Reader can get the scanned documents out of the two PDF documents created with the new printer. Extract the image to a file, then follow the OneNote tutorial. This is a round about way, but it is good exercise to learn more.

If you control the scan, then using the OneNote tutorial, no PDF creation comes into play - just scan it to an image and follow the steps.

If you receive a PDF document you can try opening it directly with Word, it will convert if there is text in the PDF.
If you get the image placeholder (four pronged arrow), then you'll need to extract the image form the PDF document and use OneNote if you want to make it editable text.

Any good PDF reader should be able to do the same thing. Try a few FREE versions, don't opt for the trial of the full blown version unless you like the FREE version and want to purchase the big brother. Most of the FREE versions arte powerful enough to do what you want though.

As Nuccii pointed out earlier - be mindful during the install of nay FREE software - remove the check mark from the box for any 'extra software' that might be offered - and answer no to the trial version if it's offered. You only want the FREE version, nothing else.

The key is to forget about scanning to a PDF document until you gain more experience and confidence with the programs. It sounds complicated, but it really isn't

1) scan to image,
2) drag image file to Onenote
3) click convert
4) open Word
5) paste

Preserving formatting is a completely different subject matter

PS: I'm in the western suburbs of Philly - who knows ... we could be neighbors.

Bill
.

 

[2harts4ever]

Hi Slartybart,

You said: Scan the document into an image format (Color Picture, or Greyscale Picture)
- experiment with both, but I think Greyscale will work best for text.
- a higher resolution (300 or 600) will produce better character recognition

Then drag that scanned image (jpg, png, bmp) into OneNote as whs describes in the video tutorial
OneNote - Copy Text from Image

Follow the rest of the instructions given by whs (click an icon to convert to text, open word and paste)


Well to make a long story short I tried what you suggested on three different files (scanned as bmp, greystone, 300dpi) and all three worked and after opening in Word 2013 I was able to edit all three. I didn't go by the whs tutorial because that is way over my head. I just followed your directions: Scan the document into an image format (Color Picture, or Greyscale Picture)
- experiment with both, but I think Greyscale will work best for text.
- a higher resolution (300 or 600) will produce better character recognition. Then drag that scanned image (jpg, png, bmp) into OneNote. (click an icon to convert to text, open word and paste)

However, I did run into a problem. When I open them in Word 2013 they aren't in the same format as when I scanned them from my Printer and put them in OneNote.

As an example one item I scanned was a normal spaced letter but when I opened it in Word 2013 it looked like this (note how some lines are long, some are short and some of the words run together):

It is My Birthday
there is
a celebration in myhonor and I think that this year the celebration will be
repeated.
During this time thereare many people shopping for gifts, there are many As you well know, we are gettingcloser to my birthday. Every year
radio announcements, TVcommercials, and in every part of the world
everyone is talkingthat my birthday is getting closer and closer.
It is really very niceto know, that at least once a year, some people think
of me. As you know, thecelebration of my birthday began many years
ago. At first peopleseemed to understand and be thankful of all that I did.


I also scanned a listing of the Direct TV channels I get. When I scanned it it looked like this (Three columns of TV stations with their name and number. I just list three rows to keep it short here):

WNEP (ABC) 16 WYOU (CBS) 22 WBRE (NBC) 28
WOLF (FOX) 56 WQMY 53 WVIA (PBS) 44
ION 64 WSWB 38 BTN 610


However, when I opened it in Word it was a long single column of the station call letters followed by a long single column of channel #s like this:


WNEP
WYOU
WBRE
etc
etc
16
22
28
etc
etc

I really appreciate all your help and would like to know if you have any idea of what I am doing wrong that the files aren't opening in Word 2013 the way they were scanned from my printer.

Thanks and regards,
2harts4ever

 

[Slartybart]

I don't think you're doing anything wrong.

That's what I inferred when I said
Preserving formatting is a completely different subject matter

Preserving formatting is: line spacing, indentation, columns, even font.

OCR is voodoo at best. I is able to determine the characters and tries to figure out where line breaks might be.

Columns might never be figured out.

You'll do best by using a combination of the tools presented in this thread.
For anything involving an image of text - the OneNote solution is the best and easiest I know.
For anything involving text - either opening directly in Word or using a PDF reader and extracting the text. I don't know which is better at preserving formatting. I was impressed with NitroPDF the first time I tried that. I've used OCR for a long time - it was really terrible in the early stages, characters were not recognized and a lot of words were just strange characters. It worked if you were in a jam, but then it might have been easier to re-type

At least now the words are words

Other members might post more apps to try that are better - some you might have to purchase (if there's a trial, try them before paying).

The OCR in OneNote can only do it's best on what it gets.
Using the TV listing as an example:

The original scan is interesting, I suspect the original document might have looked more like
WNEP (ABC) 16 WYOU (CBS) 22 WBRE (NBC) 28 WOLF (FOX) 56 WQMY 53 WVIA (PBS) 44 ION 64 WSWB 38 BTN 610

but you said the scan looked like this:
WNEP (ABC) 16 WYOU (CBS) 22 WBRE (NBC) 28
WOLF (FOX) 56 WQMY 53 WVIA (PBS) 44
ION 64 WSWB 38 BTN 610

The only thing I can think of is that the scanner software modified the output before writing to the image file. That's kind of cool, but frustrating too.

You'll have to play around with your scanner settings and choose an output based on the input.
If I guessed correctly (in the above example) then try the same TV listing, but change the output to landscape instead of portrait.

Note: This most likely won't change the column formatting, but it will make it easier to correct.
Tip: Columns are better in Excel - word has them, but I found it cumbersome to work with tables in Word, but simple in Excel.

That's all for now.

Bill
.