scan document

[Guest]

I am trying to scan a document (job application) onto my computer and then be
able to fill in the information and then be able to print it out. I scaned it
in as a pdf and then tried to save it as a word document but word , at least
i think word does it, make changes to the document so it is not the same as
the original. I need to know how to get this done so any help would be
appreciated. Do i need a different program?

 

[Herb Tyson [MVP]]

This kind of question really makes me yearn for the days of the typewriter.
;-)

I've never seen a scanned document that contains fill-in blocks be anywhere
close to identical to the original once it's been subjected to OCR, which I
assume is what's being done in your case.

One approach that can work, however, is to insert the scanned image as a
graphic (don't convert into text) into a Word document. That way, it will be
identical to the original, albeit with all of the imperfections you get with
a scanned image. Then, place borderless textboxes over the parts of the
document where you want to be able to fill in information.

All in all, unfortunately, this will probably take ten times longer than
just filling out the application long-hand, or using an old-fashioned
typewriter. If your handwriting is as bad a mine, then find a friend with
good handwriting to help (my wife's handwriting is perfect... so she does
all our form-filling).

You might see if the application is available online as a PDF form. Many
employers make such forms available, so you can use forms from within
Acrobat Reader, then print out the completed document.

 

[Graham Mayor]

Another possibility is the use of the corporate version of Abbyy Finereader
which has a form filling module, that cuts out much of the donkey work,
however bear in mind that many companies require the forms they send out to
be filled by hand so they can evaluate your handwriting. If the instructions
require handwritten completion, filling in the form by computer, no matter
how much effort you put in, will not get you that job.

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Graham Mayor - Word MVP

My web site www.gmayor.com

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