Font Size Problem

[Dugal]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard)
Processor: Intel

I have scanned some text into Word and then converted it all to Times New Roman, font size 12. However some of it is a different size although the program says its not. Even if I change fonts or sizes, that discrepancy exists. How can I get everything the same without having to retype?

 

[CyberTaz]

Hi Dugal;

I'm afraid you've left out some significant pieces of information which
makes it hard to guess what might actually be going on ;-)

First, always indicate your exact version update levels for both Office & OS
X whenever you ask for assistance. That makes a great deal of difference.

Secondly, there is no Word feature that enables you to scan "some text into
Word". You would have to have used some sort of OCR software & that, too,
makes a big difference. What type of file is it supposed to have created...
DOC, TXT, RTF?

It would also help if you'd provide a more detailed description of what your
basis is for determining that "some of it is a different size". How much of
it? What parts? Does it start one size then change in the middle? Are some
words big & every other word smaller? Is it bigger than 12 pt.? Smaller? By
how much? What aspect of the program "says its not"?

Please understand that we have no way of seeing your scenario other than the
picture you paint in your message... And right now your canvas is blank
except for a sticky note that says "Picture yet to arrive"

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[Dugal]

I used an HP Scanjet G3010 with HP Scanpro 7.4.5 (software up to date) to scan into Mac Office 2008 12.2.0 (090605) Latest update 12.2.1 which uses I.R.I.S. OCR. Scan is to rtf. After removing extraneous stuff (text had handwritting on it - an old edited manuscript) there are two size texts. Usually several sentences of the smaller size. Word says both sizes are 12 pt but of course they can't be. When I highlight everything and change fonts the problem exists. When I change font sizes the problem exists. I am assuming that the larger looking type is the correct size because that is the font size I use to begin retyping.

I can copy the entire thing to Textedit and then back and that fixes the problem (I discovered this after my original posts) but don't understand why Word has the original problem. Hope that I have enough information this time. Sorry about that.

 

[CyberTaz]

My guess is that the OCR software is generating something in the RTF that
translates to font scaling as opposed to font size. TextEdit doesn't support
such formatting so it simply ignores it. Word OTOH does support scaling of
text so it is doing what it's being told to do ‹ or at least that's how the
coding is being interpreted.

In the Word document see what happens if you do this:

Command+A (select all)
Command+X (cut)
Edit> Paste Special> Unformatted Text

I realize that it still may seem like a procedure you shouldn't have to go
through but if my hunch is right it will at least avoid the need to pass
through another program. You might check the OCR app to see if there are any
settings you can adjust to help avoid the problem.

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac