Frequently asked questions about the handwriting recognition feature of Word 2003 and Word 2002 (283160)

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About Handwriting Recognition

You can use handwriting recognition to enter text into any Microsoft Office program file by writing instead of typing. You can do this by using a handwriting input device, such as a drawing tablet or a tablet-PC; or you can write with your mouse.

Your handwriting is converted to typewritten characters and inserted inline with any existing text, at the same size as the existing text. In Microsoft Word and Microsoft Outlook, you can choose the option to leave writing as an "ink object", so that it appears in your handwriting in the document. You can also convert handwritten notes taken in a handheld device into Microsoft Word by following the instructions that are included with your handheld device.

Questions and Answers

1. What languages does handwriting recognition support?
   
   The handwriting feature is available in the Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English, Japanese, and Korean language versions of Microsoft Office.
2. When I use handwriting recognition, why does my handwriting change to text?
   
   You can insert handwriting as ink in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Outlook. In other Microsoft Office programs, you can only insert handwriting as text. The Writing Pad and the Write Anywhere toolbar have choices for ink or text. If you are seeing text, click the "ink bottle" icon to allow your text to remain as an ink object.
3. Can I convert existing "text" handwriting to ink objects?
   
   Yes. Select the "text" object, and then click the Correction button on the Language bar or in the Handwriting dialog box for the Write Anywhere pad. The final choice that is displayed (provided that you selected Embed linguistic data) will be the ink object. Select to convert the text to its ink object. The same method can be used in reverse to convert ink objects to text.
   
   NOTE: By default, Word is selected as your e-mail editor in Outlook. If you turn off Word as your e-mail editor, you cannot insert handwriting as ink in Microsoft Outlook.
4. Why is my handwriting not recognized?
   
   This can occur sometimes, because of the difficulty of recognizing pen strokes. Try the following:
   • Write an entire word at a time without pausing between letters.
   • Leave space between words.
   • Try writing or printing more legibly and in a larger size.
5. When I insert handwriting as an ink object, why is it too small or too large?
   
   The size of handwriting inserted as ink is determined by how large or small your writing is at the insertion point where you are entering text. To increase the size of the ink object, try changing the font size at the insertion point to be larger. To decrease the size, change the insertion point font size to be smaller.
6. When I select Write Anywhere, why isn't handwriting inserted where I write?
   
   You can write anywhere on the screen when you select this option, but text is entered into the file at the insertion point, which may be in a different location from the area where you are writing. To enter text in a different location in a file, move the insertion point to the location that you want before you begin to write. Use the up and down keys on the Write Anywhere pad, the mouse, or the directional keys on your keyboard.
7. How can I change how quickly my handwriting is recognized?
   
   You can speed up or slow down the rate at which handwriting is recognized. Click Handwriting on the Language bar, and then click Lined Paper or Write Anywhere. Click Options and then select the Common tab. Under Recognition, move the slider to the left or right.
8. Is there a more controlled method of entering handwriting, or do I have to use Write Anywhere?
   
   The Writing Pad option allows you to write in a "lined paper" mode, which is then inserted into the document at your insertion point. You can switch between input methods by selecting the appropriate icons at the bottom of the input control. Click Writing Pad on the Write Anywhere menu to switch to this mode.
9. What else can handwriting recognition offer me?
   
   In addition to offering handwriting recognition in two separate modes, and the ability to convert your handwriting to text or ink objects, the handwriting recognition feature offers a drawing feature, with which you can create free-hand drawing objects.
10. When I right-click a word, why do I see Handwriting Options selected?
    
    Handwriting Options is the same as Correction on the Language bar. Both bring up the Correction options and allow you to select alternative words or change the display mode between text and ink object.
    
    If this option appears when you right-click a word, it means that the text you selected was entered through handwriting and has linguistic data associated with it.
    
    NOTE: Ink objects retain their linguistic data when they are saved, even if the Embed linguistic data check box on the Save tab (on the Tools menu, click Options) is not selected. If your ink object is displayed as text, and you want to reduce your file size and remove the Alternate List choice (right-click the handwriting object and point to Ink Object on the shortcut menu), you can save your file with this option turned off. Before you make this change to your original document, refer to online Help for more information about what data you may lose.

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