Corel Photo Paint/Wacom Tablet
Expert: Neal Ziring - 2/7/2008
QuestionHello: it seems that you know how a tablet works so my question is as follows. I would like to know if any tablet I'm not particular which brand or model, could convert my handwriting in to text? I want to use it in Excel and write for e.g. 123 and it should convert it to text and put it in a cell.
AnswerAbe,
It is usually possible to use a tablet for handwriting
recognition and text input to Windows. It isn't trivial.
There are several approaches:
1. Windows XP with Office XP
If you have these, then you can install a handwriting
recognition feature from the Office XP install disks.
How to install and enable the features is described here:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306906
2. Windows Vista (Biz, Ent, or Ult)
The upper editions of Vista come with handwriting recognition
as an option. You can see how to set it up here:
http://www.ehow.com/how_2063184_customize-handwriting-recognition-windows-vista....
3. Windows XP or later, and a commercial handwriting recognition
package
Option 3 is the most likely to work. Many graphics tablets are
shipped with a handwriting recognition product, so you should see
whether yours has one. If not, then check out one of these:
RitePen
http://www.evernote.com/products/technology/ritepen/
PenOffice
http://www.phatware.com/penoffice/index.html
PenReader
http://www.penreader.com/
All of these are fairly inexpensive, like US$ 20-40.
Good luck!
...nz