Recommendations please for free OCR software

[chrissiehope]

I recently had to buy a new multifunction printer, and I've just discovered that it doesn't have any OCR capability

If I download some OCR software, can the scanner be made to use it ? I'm on XP 3 & it's an Epson WorkForce WF-2650

If I can do the above, I've googled for the software and there are loads of sites - which are the safest (one was cnet, which I think I've seen mentioned on here) ?

It's qwuite urgent, as I have a legal letter in pdf that I need to add text to...

TIA

[Enrique]

Hi chrissiehope,

According to the Epson site your Printer has OCR software........


Be aware any "free" software could have bloatware added, if there is a Custom install go for that option and read the info in the pop up boxes.

This site I've used a lot.........

http://www.majorgeeks.com/

Some light reading..............

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/safe-soft ... load-sites

[chrissiehope]

Oh, I didn't realise it had OCR - maybe it's a program I hadn't spotted, cos what I have under Epson scan definitely doesn't have it !

If I can't find it, I'll go to the site you mentioned

[Enrique]

Hi chrissiehope,
No need you should have it on the Software Disk.....................

"Bundled software includes a copy of Presto! PageManager, which provides document housekeeping as well as OCR for scanned documents."

[chrissiehope]

I found a second CD that I had ignored as it appeares to be a desktop publishing program that I didn't need. This has more extensive options, including OCR HOWEVER - when I try to scan, it comes up with a message to the effect that "the current dpi settings do not match the scanner, please adjust the setting s & try again" - OK, into OCR settings, & there's a Resolution dropdown box which has only one option of 150 dpi. I tried changing the bog standard scan settings from 200 gpi to 150 dpi. without success. I will have to plough thro the manual to see what can be done...

[costakid]

Cnet is safe.

[Enrique]

"Cnet is safe."...............with caution.........

[dxf]

Hola

Cnet - adds addons to your browser and can alter your search results - further it can overwrite the Google adds - I would stay away from Cnet

Davexf

[chrissiehope]

I tried Epson's site, but didn't find a reference to OCR that related to XP (tho I did get a bit fed up as I seemed to be going round in circles !) so then I tried Enrique's link. This wouldn't load, but my router was having a hissy fit so that was probably the reason. So I went on a hunt for the CDs that came with the printer, (which didn't take too long, thanks to my excellent filing system )

I installed the program (Presto Page Manager), and read all the instrutions relating to OCR and after a bit of trial & error, have managed to get a word doc that I can type into

I am quite impressed - it took an existing .pdf file & converted it into more or less perfect text - I didn't need to scan at all

Now all I have to do is enter my comments on a very tricky & emotionally draining subject

[Chunky Monky]

Hi Chrissie

I'm a bit late to this particular party! You could look at your problem from another point of view.

I use a program called Foxit Advanced PDF Editor, it allows me to open a pdf as if it were a Word document and edit it as easily. I recently took a user manual of over 650 pages in many languages and deleted all the ones I didn't want and was left with a pdf file in English of only 25 pages!

[gerryh]

Unfortunately Foxit Advanced PDF Editor is not free. It costs 89 USD.
However you can use the free Foxit reader to fill in input fields on a PDF document.
Cheers
Gerry