OCR Scanning with ABBYY FineReader: Troubleshooting and Alternatives

If you've recently embarked on your OCR scanning journey with an Epson SX115 printer equipped with ABBYY FineReader OCR software, you may have encountered a dilemma when it comes to saving the output if you don't have Microsoft Word. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to overcome this issue and explore alternative solutions for saving your OCR scans.

1. Saving Your OCR Output

One user expressed their concern regarding the default output format suggested by ABBYY FineReader, which is Microsoft Word. If you find yourself in a similar situation, here's how you can save your OCR output to a different location on your computer:

• On the finished OCR scan product, navigate to the top of the screen.
• Click on "File."
• Select "Save As."
• Provide a name for your file.
• Browse for the desired folder where you want to save the document.
• Finally, click "Save."

This method allows you to store your OCR results in a location of your choice, regardless of your Word processing software.

2. Compatibility Matters

A follow-up question arose: Does ABBYY FineReader offer the flexibility to save OCR results in alternative formats? The answer is not within the software itself, as it primarily suggests Word as the default output format. However, it's important to understand that you can save your OCR output in various formats, including .doc, .rtf, .docx, .odt, or .txt, depending on your reader application's compatibility.

If you are using a Windows operating system, WordPad, which comes pre-installed from Windows 7 onwards, can open most of these file formats. While it offers limited document manipulation capabilities compared to dedicated word processors, it can serve as an interim solution.

3. Exploring Alternative Software

If the prospect of purchasing Microsoft Word is not within your immediate plans, don't worry; there are several free alternatives available. These alternatives include Google Docs and LibreOffice, both of which are compatible with a range of document formats, making them suitable for saving your OCR results.

Additionally, if you're looking for advanced OCR capabilities, you might want to consider exploring tools like smartengines.com, which provide OCR services and may offer more flexibility in terms of output format.

4. Future Printer Considerations

Lastly, the conversation briefly touched on the possibility of acquiring a different printer. It's essential to note that most modern printers, regardless of the brand or model, should allow you to save OCR output in various file formats, such as PDF or TXT. Therefore, if you decide to switch printers in the future, you shouldn't encounter the same limitation when it comes to saving your OCR results.

While ABBYY FineReader may initially suggest Microsoft Word as the default output format, there are numerous workarounds and alternative software options available to help you save your OCR scans without the need for expensive software purchases. Whether it's using free word processors or exploring specialized OCR tools, you have the flexibility to choose what works best for your needs.

For more tech tips and information, consider following our YouTube Channel BCH Technologies and exploring our Tech blog. And if you're in the Greensboro, North Carolina area, feel free to visit us locally for expert assistance with your tech-related queries.