What is Optical character recognition?
'''Optical character recognition''' (OCR) is a method of automatic [[Information|data]] entry. OCR [[software]] is used to convert [[Handwriting|handwritten]], [[Typewriter|type-written]] or [[print]]ed text into data that can be [[edit]]ed on a [[computer]]. In simple systems, the [[paper]] [[document]]s are scanned with an [[image scanner]]. The OCR software then looks at the image and compares the shapes of the letters to stored images of letters. In this way, it makes a [[text file]] that can be edited with a normal [[text editor]]. More complex systems look at images, layout and so on. This can make editable electronic versions which look identical to the original documents. OCR works best with clean, clearly printed materials. == OCR-Software == * Adobe Acrobat Professional (Windows, Mac OS) * BIT-Alpha (Windows) * [[ExactScan Pro]] (Mac OS) * [[FineReader]] (Unix, Windows) * [[OCRKit]] (Mac OS) * [[Readiris]] (Unix, Windows, Mac OS) * [[Nuance Omnipage]] (Windows) * [[OCRvision]] (Windows) {{tech-stub}} [[Category:Data input]]