WD2000: Microsoft Word 2000 Supports TWAIN-Compliant Scanners and Cameras (240183)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word 2000

This article was previously published under Q240183

SUMMARY

TWAIN is a cross-platform interface protocol that is used to acquire electronic images that have been captured by scanners, digital cameras, and still-frame video capture boards.

Microsoft Word 2000 has built-in TWAIN support, with which you can scan images directly into Word from your scanner or digital camera. Microsoft Word 2000 supports TWAIN version 1.7.

This article explains how to insert a picture that is captured from your scanner or digital camera into a Word document. This article includes some troubleshooting tips if problems occur.

MORE INFORMATION

How to Scan a Picture and Insert It in a Word Document

NOTE: To do this procedure, your device (a scanner or a digital camera) must be connected to your computer and must be TWAIN-compatible. Make sure that you install the device software that supports TWAIN. Some devices are included with more than one software program. If you are not sure which software program is TWAIN-compatible, check the device documentation, or contact the manufacturer of the device.
  1. Set up the picture in your scanning device.

    For example, insert the picture into your scanner, or take the picture with your camera.
  2. On the Insert menu in Microsoft Word, point to Picture, and then click From Scanner or Camera.
  3. If you have more than one device connected to your computer, select the one that you want to use in the Device dialog box.
  4. Do one of the following:
    • If you want to use a lower resolution, or if you intend for your document to be viewed on the screen, click Web Quality.

      -or-
    • If you want to use a higher resolution, or if you intend for your document to be printed, click Print Quality.
  5. Do one of the following:
    • If you are using a scanner and you want to use predefined settings to scan your picture, click Insert.

      NOTE: The Insert button might be unavailable when you are using some scanners, because the scanner software does not support automatic scanning. Use the Custom Insert button instead.

      -or-
    • If you are using a scanner and you want to change image settings, or if you are using a camera, click Custom Insert. Follow the instructions that are included with the device you are using.
When the image appears in the document, make any changes that you want. You can use the tools on the Picture toolbar to make changes such as cropping the picture and adjusting its brightness, contrast, and color.

To display the Picture toolbar, click to select the picture. If the Picture toolbar still does not appear, point to Toolbars on the View menu, and then click Picture. If the tools on the Picture toolbar are not available, click to select the picture.

How to Troubleshoot Working with a Scanner or Camera

You may experience one or more of the following symptoms when you attempt to insert a picture from your scanner or camera:
  1. I get an error message when I try to insert a picture from a scanner or camera.

    Error messages may occur for any of the following reasons:
    • Only some of the scanner software might be installed. When you connect the device to your computer and install your device software on your computer, be sure to follow the scanner manufacturer's directions, and install all of the software that is included with your scanner.

      -or-
    • Your device might not be compatible with TWAIN. Make sure that your device is TWAIN-compatible, and that you installed the software to support TWAIN that was provided by the device manufacturer. If you are not sure whether the device is TWAIN-compatible, refer to the device documentation, or contact the device manufacturer. After you install the software, try to scan your picture again.

      -or-
    • You might need to use Custom Insert. If you installed new software and still cannot scan in Microsoft Word, try to scan in another program that supports TWAIN, such as Microsoft Publisher 98 or later, Microsoft Picture It! version 2.0 or later, or Microsoft FrontPage 98 or later. If you can scan successfully in another program, try to use Custom Insert in the Insert Picture from Scanner or Camera dialog box (on the Insert menu, point to Picture) in Word.

      -or-
    • The device software might not support automatic scanning. Use Custom Insert instead of Insert in the Insert Picture from Scanner or Camera dialog box (on the Insert menu, point to Picture).
  2. The scanner took a very long time to scan my picture.

    This problem may occur for any of the following reasons:
    • Your scanner resolution might be too high. Choose a lower resolution.

      -or-
    • Your scanner might be making more than one scanning pass. If you are using a multiple-pass device to scan a color picture, and you choose Custom Insert in the Insert Picture from Scanner or Camera dialog box (on the Insert menu, point to Picture) instead of Insert, the scan takes longer, because the scanner makes multiple passes over the picture. To make only one pass over the picture, choose Insert.

      -or-
    • You might have a slow scanner. Some scanners are faster than others.
  3. The scanner scanned too much or too little of my picture.

    To correct this problem, do one or both of the following:
    • Use Custom Insert in the Insert Picture from Scanner or Camera dialog box (on the Insert menu, point to Picture) to change the image properties and preview the image before you scan.

      -or-
    • Refer to the device documentation for instructions about how to change image options.
  4. I don't like the way my scanned image looks.

    To correct this problem, do one or both of the following:
    • Use Custom Insert in the Insert Picture from Scanner or Camera dialog box (on the Insert menu, point to Picture) to change image properties and preview the image before you scan.

      -or-
    • Refer to the device documentation for instructions about how to change image options.
  5. My computer stopped working when I tried to insert a picture from a scanner or camera.

    Do one or both of the following:
    • If you chose Insert in the Insert Picture from Scanner or Camera dialog box (on the Insert menu, point to Picture) to scan your picture, try to use Custom Insert instead.

      -or-
    • If you are still experiencing problems, call your device manufacturer, or go to the manufacturer's Web site to get updated information about the scanner or camera.
  6. The Insert button is dimmed when I select a scanner.

    The Insert button might be unavailable because the scanner software does not support automatic scanning. Use the Custom Insert button instead.
  7. When I click the Custom Insert button, nothing happens.

    The device window might not be on top. If there is a button for the device software on the Windows taskbar, click it to display the window.

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:8/17/2001
Keywords:kbinfo KB240183