My handwriting looks like a doctor’s prescription. But OneNote’s hidden handwriting conversion feature rescues my notes. It converts even my worst scrawls into perfectly readable text, whether I’m using an Apple Pencil on iPad or a mouse on Windows.
How to Convert Handwriting to Text on an iPad (with Apple Pencil)
OneNote on iPad is built for touch and the pen. The Apple Pencil opens up many creative ways to take notes, like sketching, mindmaps, etc, which take it beyond handwritten notes. You just have to enable a tiny setting first.
- Open iPad’s Settings. Scroll down and switch on Apple Pencil > Scribble (second option from the top).
- Tap the Try Scribble button to practice on the canvas, but you can skip this and open OneNote.
- In OneNote, go to Settings and check if Apple Pencil Always Draws Ink is enabled by default. The Apple Pencil switches to drawing mode automatically, so you can write or draw on the page without selecting tools first.
- In OneNote, select the pen icon with an “A” on it (the auto-convert pen for handwriting-to-text).
- Tap with your finger or Apple Pencil where you want to start writing. Dismiss the annoying keyboard to clear the page area for handwriting.
Begin scribbling directly with your Apple Pencil in any part of the page. Your handwriting will automatically convert to typed text as you write. I like the Scribble Gestures on the iPad, which speed up my notetaking. You should practice these too.
- To delete a word or sentence: Draw a squiggly line through it.
- To combine two words: Draw a line between them.
- To separate words: Draw a vertical line where you want to split them apart.
- To select (highlight) a word or sentence: Circle it with your Apple Pencil. You can then cut, copy, paste, or use other editing tools.
How to Convert Handwriting to Text on Windows (Using Your Mouse / Finger / Stylus)
It’s not neat, but your regular mouse works just fine for scrawling text on the screen. OneNote can recognize those ugly squiggled words, too.
- Open the OneNote app for Windows. Search for “OneNote” in the Start menu and choose your notebook or create a new one.
- At the top of OneNote, select the Draw tab to activate drawing tools.
- Click on a pen tool, then use your mouse to write anywhere on the page. It’s easier with a touchscreen, but since I don’t have one, my mouse is doing the job for this demo.
- Choose the Lasso Select tool (a dotted oval icon). Use it to draw around the handwriting you want to convert.
- With your handwriting selected, go back to the ribbon and click Ink to Text.
Double-check the converted text. Sometimes letters fuse, or similar-looking words get mixed up. OneNote may not convert names properly. Make any corrections you need by clicking on it with the Select option on the Draw tab.
Of course, the workflow is quicker and smoother with a stylus (or your finger) on a touchscreen for handwritten input. But you can still play around with the mouse when you want to use OneNote like a whiteboard to illustrate or outline an idea.
I prefer using the mouse to scribble math equations, which the Ink to Math feature in OneNote turns into neat typed numbers and symbols. OneNote’s Math Solver is one of the more underrated Microsoft Office features.
Make Your Handwriting Convert to Text Perfectly Every Time
Converting handwriting in OneNote gives me the natural feel of notetaking. A few tweaks and habits will guarantee cleaner, more accurate results. Here’s how to get the most out of OneNote’s handwriting recognition:
Write Clearly and Avoid Cursive for Best Results: The neater and more distinct each character, the better. While OneNote reads cursive, regular printed handwriting is much more reliable.
Stay on the Line: If you’re using OneNote’s ruled pages or lines, keep your writing even and within the lines. Use the lines as visual guides so that OneNote can recognize your words correctly.
Use Supported Languages and Dictionaries: OneNote supports handwriting-to-text in different languages. Make sure OneNote is set to the language you’re writing in. Go to Review tab > Language > Set Proofing Language to select your language from the list.
Break Long Sentences Into Short Lines: Handwriting recognizers struggle with long, unbroken stretches of text. Write in shorter, more manageable lines.
Adjust Pen Thickness for Readability: Choose a thicker pen setting if your writing is small. Faint or thin strokes may be missed or jumbled in conversion.
Proofread After Conversion: Always read back the converted text. Look for letters that might have joined together or where OneNote made incorrect guesses. Also, test the accuracy of accents or special characters.
Try Out OCR for Images: If you’ve snapped a picture of handwritten notes (say, from a whiteboard or notebook), right-click the image and select Copy Text from Picture. Paste them on the page, and your scribbles become editable text almost instantly.
Experiment With Different Pens: Some OneNote pens (or colors) may feel better. If you notice one pen style gives better results, make it your go-to.
My handwritten scrawls have turned into crisp, digital notes which are easier to edit, search, or share. Thanks to handwriting recognition in OneNote, I have the best of both worlds; taking notes by hand and still getting the clarity of typed text.
