How to convert handwriting to text in Microsoft OneNote 2010

This post will go over how to go over converting handwriting into text. For this demonstration I am using OneNote 2010 as well as Bamboo Tablet. As you will soon see my hand writing is not the best. It’s really gone south since I mainly use my keyboarding skills.

First thing to do is to actually open Microsoft OneNote 2010.

Once inside Click on the “Draw” tab in the Ribbon bar. Click on one of drawing tool. In this example I chose “Thin Black” drawing tool.

Pick up your stylus and write some notes on whatever subject you would like. In my case I’m shamefully advertising my blog.

So as you can see my handwriting isn’t the worst in the world but it isn’t that good either.

Like so many thing in windows right clicking gives you several options on what you can do with that object. OneNote 2010 is no exception. You must select “Convert Ink” and then select “Text”.

PS – You can also click on the Convert Ink to Text button on ribbon. Using photoshop I move the button under “Draw” tab just to save room on the post.

Voila! It should turn your handwriting into text. Notice it doesn’t care if you use mixture of handwriting and printing or if things are on different lines.

Not bad eh?

Now can you think of some good uses for this? With things like smart boards becoming more and more popular (or at least talked about) things like hand writing recognition is playing a bigger and bigger role.

What if you were to use Microsoft OneNote to Convert handwriting from presentation. You could then give the notes as a digital download minutes after the presentation. Unlike other programs out there, (I won’t name names) OneNote 2010 is polished and very speedy.