How to Convert Handwritten Documents to Text

If you have a pile of handwritten documents that beg to be digitized to allow for easy editing, sharing, and storage, handwriting to text (HTR) technology is here to rescue you. With its help, you can convert handwritten documents to text in a few simple steps, and all you need is a scanner and software.

The Challenge of Scanning Handwritten Documents

Scanning handwritten documents and converting them to digital text can be a real pain, as it comes with a unique set of challenges:

Handwriting varies from person to person, making it difficult for standard Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software to recognize and transcribe the text accurately.

Handwritten documents often contain errors, such as crossed-out words and misspellings, which can further confuse scanning software.

Many documents that have been written by hand are old, and the quality of the paper, the ink used, and even the presence of stray marks or folds can further complicate the scanning process.

To cope with these and other challenges, software developers have created specialized Handwriting to Text (HTR) software, designed specifically for the job of converting handwritten documents to text.

HTR tools use advanced algorithms to adapt to different handwriting styles, differentiate between intentional text and stray marks or corrections, and deal with old or damaged documents. 

Convert Handwritten Documents to Text Using Transkribus