(2024 New) Convert Handwriting to Text: 6 Apps on Desktop, iPad and iPhone

Are you still typing handwritten notes into a digital document? In fact, if you want to make the meeting minutes, class notes, lesson plans and other handwritten notes into the digital document, it is extremely simple, just with the help of handwriting to text apps. Here, we will explore 6 ways to convert handwriting to text, working across Windows, macOS, iPadOS, iOS and web. 

 Cisdem PDFMaster

Go Paperless with the Best Handwriting to Text Converter:

• Turn handwriting, image-based PDF, scanned documents to searchable and copyable text with OCR.
• Specify the page range that you need to convert.
• Support multi-languages like English, French, German, Italian, Russia and Spanish.
• Convert/create mainstream formats.
• Edit the existing text in PDF with ease.

Free Download macOS 11 or later Free Download Windows 11/10/8/7
 Earlier than macOS 11, click here

Best Handwriting to Text App on Windows and Mac

#1 Cisdem PDFMaster

Cisdem PDFMaster is a popular platform among small to medium sized enterprises and individuals who need to transform scanned handwriting and documents into searchable/editable PDF files, create/edit Office documents, convert your PDF file to other file types, create interactive forms, set permissions to files and collaborate with coworkers.

The advanced handwriting recognition and OCR technology in Cisdem PDFMaster can automatically recognize text in handwritten notes and extract text from them, users can effortlessly copy and paste the text. For higher efficiency, it comes with a batch mode that allows Windows and Mac users to convert multiple handwriting to text in one place. You can even specify the pages that you want to convert in the uploading list. 

Key Features of Cisdem PDFMaster:

Edit

Add text, add image, edit the existing text

Comment

Highlight, underline, strikeout, squiggly line, shapes, note, draw, eraser, callout, stamp, signature, measurement

Sign

Create e-signature and sign PDF

Convert

PDF to Images, Word, Excel, PPT, TXT, RTF, HTML, CSV and Json, PDF from blank page, image, file, scanner

Tool

Compare files, OCR, compress PDF, crop, watermark

Forms

Add text field, checkbox field, radio button field, list box field, combo box field, signature field

Protect

Set password, mark for redaction, digital signature

Page

Delete, rotate, extract, replace, insert, split, reorder

How to Convert Handwriting to Text on Windows and Mac?

1. Free download Cisdem PDFMaster, install it and start with a free trial on your Windows or Mac.
   Free Download macOS 11 or later Free Download Windows 11/10/8/7
    Earlier than macOS 11, click here
2. Click Open Files to open your handwritten PDF file in the program.
3. When the PDF is imported, select OCR feature from the top toolbar.
4. Make the OCR settings in the pop-up window, click OCR in the middle to start converting handwriting to text. You can copy the text on the right directly, or save the recognized result as a text file.

How to Batch Convert Handwriting to Text in Cisdem PDFMaster?

1. Launch the program of Cisdem PDFMaster, choose Convert PDF in the main interface.
2. Drag and Drop your handwriting with PDF format into the uploading area, Cisdem PDFMaster enables you to convert multiple files at one time. 
3. Then, you can select the page range you want to convert, set the output format as Text and choose the OCR language.
4. Finally, click Convert to turn your paper notes to digital text on Windows and Mac.

#2 Microsoft OneNote

Those who often need to take notes are certainly no stranger to the note taking software that will be introduced below. OneNote is the best free note-taking app available on Windows, Mac, iPad, iPhone and Android. Figuratively speaking, Microsoft OneNote is an electronic version of a paper notebook that allows users to capture notes, ideas, reminders and other information.

Steps on How to Convert Handwriting to Text in Microsoft OneNote:

1. Open a handwritten note from your iPad.
2. Go to Draw > Lasso Select and circle the handwriting text that you want to convert to typed text.
3. Then choose Ink to Text on the Draw tab. 
4. Now, all the handwriting text is converted to typed text, and you can modify and edit the text freely. By the way, this program will automatically identify grammatical errors and give hints.

Convert Handwriting to Text on iPad

There are two popular handwriting to text apps on iPad - GoodNotes and Notability. Whenever it comes to note-taking software on iPad, many people will spontaneously recommend these two apps. In fact, they are very similar in function and use, and can make notes more clear and organized. If you think your handwriting is not neat, you can also easily convert it to text.

#1 GoodNotes

Key Features:

• Turn handwriting to digital notes
• Easily find what you wrote from your library
• Mark up PDFs and PPTs
• Customize your notebooks 
• Organize the notes using folders and subfolders
• Backup notes to Google Drive, OneDrive and Dropbox
• Collaborate with others using a sharable link

Pricing: $8.99 pay once

GoodNotes is a highly rated note-taking application designed for iPadOS, iOS and 
macOS. No matter where you are, GoodNotes automatically syncs files from iCloud to all your devices. And the latest GoodNotes 5 add some new features such as global search, quicknotes and no limitation to levels of folders and subfolders. By the way, please note that only the first 3 notebooks are free and you can get access to limited features.

How to Convert Handwriting to Text on iPad with GoodNotes 5?

1. Choose the Lasso Tool in the toolbar, then circle the handwriting you import.
2. Click on the Convert button.
3. On the clipboard that appears in the interface, you can freely modify and copy all the text.

#2 Notability

Key Features:

• Convert handwriting and math to text
• Annotate/comment on anything with Apple Pencil
• Type and draw on a virtual notepad
• Record audio notes
• organize text files, photos, handwritten notes in one place
• Share files with others
• Automatic iCloud sync files

Pricing: $12.99 per year 

As one of the best handwriting to text generator on iPad, Notability offers exceptional note-taking tools for students, teachers, professionals and creatives to write notes, draw, highlight, insert photos/figures/writing boxes and share files. But compared to GoodNotes, it is more expensive and not available on Windows and Android.

How to Convert Handwriting to Text on iPad with Notability?

1. Import a handwritten note to Notability and use the lasso tool to select the section you need to convert.
2. Tap on the Convert button.
3. Then click Text and this app will start conversion.
4. In Conversion Preview, you can convert selection or copy text to clipboard.

Convert Handwriting to Text on iPhone with Built-in Scanner

Actually, Apple has added a feature called Live Text OCR in iOS 15 that allows you to quickly recognize, select, copy, paste, and search text from images. As one of the most useful features in iPhone Camera, I believe many users have already experienced. It is available for handwritten text/typed text and supports multi-languages such as English, Chinese, French, Italian, German, Portuguese and Spanish. 

Scan Handwriting to Text with iPhone Camera:

1. Open the Camera from your iPhone, select Photo from the camera options at the bottom.
2. Point the camera at the paper note that you want to capture, then tap on the Live Text button in the bottom-right corner. (you can also get an image from the Photos app)
3. Now, you can copy, select, look up and translate text from the image.
4. Finally, you can paste the recognized text into any document.

Free Online Handwriting to Text Converter

In this section, we will explore a charge-free tool for users who need to OCR a handwritten note on web. Pen to Print, as its name calls, enables it to convert paper notes to digital text that support printing. What’s more, hand-filled form images can also be converted to data sheets. Now, let’s see how this free handwriting to text converter works online.

1. Visit Pen to Print website and select Notes OCR.
2. Open a note by clicking Add Files or dragging and dropping.
3. Wait for seconds and the online free handwriting to text converter will automate recognize the text with high accuracy. Then, you can export it to text, word, or clipboard.

Final Words

In fact, the handwriting-to-text devices we mentioned above all rely on high-end OCR technology to easily extract data and text from camera images, scanned documents, and image-based PDF files. Among them, Cisdem PDFMaster stands out for its batch conversion, advanced settings, best quality and affordable price, and brings a 14-day free trial for users. Download it and start your high-quality handwriting conversion now!
Free Download macOS 11 or later Free Download Windows 11/10/8/7
 Earlier than macOS 11, click here