Nowadays, we mostly type on a keyboard or, even more commonly, dictate text directly to our iPhone or Mac. However, handwriting is something we should strive to maintain. There are many situations where we may prefer writing by hand, but it's also true that a handwritten text isn’t as useful as a digital one.
Why? Digital notes make it easier to organize, move, edit, send, and process information. If we're talking about a short list of four items, typing it from paper onto an iPad takes just a few seconds. But when it comes to something longer, we need to consider how ChatGPT allows us to combine the best of both handwriting and digital text in an extremely simple and free way.
How to transcribe handwritten notes with ChatGPT
Transcribing any handwritten note with ChatGPT is incredibly easy. First, we need to access chatgpt.com with our OpenAI account. While ChatGPT is available without registration, the image upload tool we’ll use requires signing in. If we don’t have an account yet, signing up is completely free.
Once inside ChatGPT—whether through the website or the app—we’ll see a “+” icon to the left of the text box. Clicking on it allows us to upload images or take a photo instantly. Alternatively, we can drag and drop the image directly into the conversation.
To ensure ChatGPT understands exactly what we want, it's best to include a clear instruction, such as: "Extract the full text from this image." Although the AI usually does this automatically, specifying our intention guarantees a more precise response.
Much more than just a simple transcription
Once we have the transcribed text, ChatGPT offers endless possibilities for handling it. We can correct spelling with commands like "Correct the spelling in this text", format the content into numbered lists, summarize it, translate it, or use it as the basis for any further request.
As we use this system, we’ll notice that ChatGPT can handle even the most unclear handwriting styles, including cursive. While it’s not 100% error-free, its ability to capture every word is truly impressive—outperforming many subscription-based apps and services that would otherwise charge for this feature.
The ability to digitize our handwritten notes with ChatGPT is something well worth considering. Too often, we jot things down with pen and paper, only to later need them in a digital format. ChatGPT acts as a bridge between both worlds, allowing us to enjoy the best of handwriting while harnessing the power of AI.
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