Use handwriting recognition

This feature is available in the Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English, Japanese, and Korean language versions of Microsoft Office. Because handwriting recognition is not installed by default in all of these languages, you may need to install it separately.

Write as you naturally do on a paper surface, using cursive style, printing, or a combination of both. As you write, enter entire words without pausing after each letter, and leave space between words.

Place the insertion point where you want to insert handwriting.

Select a writing area. Do one of the following:

Show Write on a lined area on the screen

On the Language bar, click Writing Pad .
If Writing Pad is not available, click Handwriting on the Language bar, and then select Writing Pad .
To increase or decrease the size of the Writing Pad box, move the pointer to an outside edge of the box until it changes into a double-headed arrow, and then drag to the desired size.
Move the insertion point into the Writing Pad box. When it changes to a pen , you're in an area that you can write in.

Note You can move the Writing Pad box to different areas on the screen by dragging it.

Show Write anywhere on the screen

On the Language bar, click Write Anywhere .
If Write Anywhere is not available, click Handwriting on the Language bar, and then select Write Anywhere .

Note You can move the Write Anywhere toolbar to different areas on the screen by dragging it.

To write, use a handwriting input device, or move your mouse on your mouse pad to form words.

If you use the Writing Pad box, write on the line, just as you would on lined notebook paper.

Your handwriting is automatically recognized and entered at the insertion point in the program.

To close the handwriting box, click Close Button image on the Writing Pad or Write Anywhere toolbar.

To enter handwriting into the program immediately without waiting for a recognition delay, click Recognize Now on the Writing Pad or Write Anywhere toolbar.
You can turn on or off automatic recognition, and select options such as changing the rate at which handwriting is recognized, or change pen color and width. Click Options in the upper left corner of the Writing Pad box or the Write Anywhere toolbar, and then click Options.