[blindLaw] using omnipage to convert pdfs to word

Mon Jan 13 14:14:47 UTC 2020

I have a question here. I realize that it is not relevant to Laura's
question, so feel free to write me off-list to answer it, so as to
prevent a digression. I believe I have also raised it before but have
never received a convincing response, perhaps because one does not
exist.

Given that the conversion of documents using any OCR solutions results
in page numbers often getting muffed up in the end product, how are
you able to negotiate that situation? As also footnote numbers and
other particulars such as dates and para numbers.

I often find that I have to make the best guess as to what footnote is
referred to in the text, because JAWS will say something like
"footnote 5I". So the footnote numbers do not remain clean and clear
in the final word product that emerges post-conversion. Sometimes, a
certain page simply does not have footnotes at the end of it.

Am I correct in assuming that there is simply no substitute for
competent and efficient sighted assistance in such cases?

Best,
Rahul

On 13/01/2020, Singh, Nandini via BlindLaw <blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> I can convert a file without opening it.  Using File Explorer, I select the
> file to convert, bring up the OmniPage menu by pressing the applications
> key, and specify which format I would like the new file: Word, text, and
> inexplicably Word Perfect, among others.
>
> For me, batching works similarly, I select a group of files that I want to
> convert, bring up the OmniPage menu, and specify the format.  This can run
> in the background while I do something else, such as read email or do
> research on Westlaw.
>
> I will say, however, that cleaner quality files always work better,
> otherwise I sometimes have to be responsive to snags in the form of various
> dialogue boxes that pop up informing me of apparent language issues and OCR
> failures.  These are easily overwritten, and the conversion can proceed by
> hitting "okay" or "continue."  The major issues arise with poor quality
> documents several thousand pages in length, as you may find with
> administrative records.  These take a very long time to be converted, but
> one solution that works moderately well is breaking up the document into
> smaller segments, something that an assistant or paralegal could do as a
> preliminary step.
>
> Regards,
> Nikki
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: BlindLaw <blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Laura Wolk via
> BlindLaw
> Sent: Monday, January 13, 2020 1:29 AM
> To: Blind Law Mailing List <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Laura Wolk <laura.wolk at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [blindLaw] using omnipage to convert pdfs to word
>
> [EXTERNAL]
>
> This is all really helpful. If I just need to convert one file in
> FineReader, I go to the context menu in the folder where the file resides
> and select the option convert with findReader . So I never actually have to
> open the PDF. Can you do something similar with OmniPage? Is that what you
> all are referring to with right clicking from the file menu? Also, could
> somebody write me off list and explain to me how you batch convert files
> using either program? meaning, how do you select the files that you want to
> convert in the batch?
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Jan 12, 2020, at 9:19 PM, Brian Unitt via BlindLaw
>> <blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>
>> I use it the same way as Ger, from the file menu as a right click option.
>> I have had a license for Omni-page for the last 5 or so years and find it
>> to be fast, accurate, and pretty easy to use.
>>
>> Brian
>> Brian C. Unitt
>> Certified Specialist in Appellate Law
>> State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization
>>
>> Holstein, Taylor and Unitt
>> A Professional Corporation
>> 4300 Latham Street, Suite 103
>> Riverside, CA 92501
>> P: 951-682-7030
>> F: 951-684-8061
>> E: brianunitt at holsteinlaw.com
>> www.holsteinlaw.com
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: BlindLaw <blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Gerard
>> Sadlier via BlindLaw
>> Sent: Sunday, January 12, 2020 10:44 AM
>> To: Blind Law Mailing List <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: Gerard Sadlier <gerard.sadlier at gmail.com>
>> Subject: Re: [blindLaw] using omnipage to convert pdfs to word
>>
>> I prefer Omnipage to Abbyy. I particularly like that I can convert batches
>> of files, directly from Windows Explorer, using an Omnipage sub-menu on
>> the file menu.
>>
>> Ensure that if you use Omnipage, it is set up so that you can convert
>> directly from the file menu. That way it is very simple and
>> straightforward to use.
>>
>> Let me know if I can help any further.
>>
>> Kind regards
>>
>> Ger
>>
>>> On 1/12/20, Seif-Eldeen Saqallah via BlindLaw <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
>>> wrote:
>>> I have used it, but prefer abbyy instead:
>>> more languages, file types, larger file batches, ETC.
>>> There is an issue with Abby though: it will not convert password
>>> protected pdf files; Omnipage seemed to do that, unless I am mistaken.
>>>
>>> ABBYY FineReader | FineReader 15 The Smarter PDF Solution
>>> https://www.abbyy.com/en-us/finereader/
>>>
>>> Sincerely,
>>> Seif
>>>
>>>> On 1/12/20, Laura Wolk via BlindLaw <blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>> Hi all,
>>>>
>>>> I've been using Finereader for my batch conversion needs at work,
>>>> but we may need to stop using that program.  Has anyone had success
>>>> with Omnipage to perform this task?  Namely, is it accessible,
>>>> quick, and able to convert large files to word docs without truncating
>>>> them?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks,
>>>> Laura
>>>>
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>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Seif Saqallah
>>> (Pronouns: he/him/his.)
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>>> | 2021
>>>
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>>>
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>>>
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-- 
--
Rahul Bajaj
Candidate for the MPhil in Law
Rhodes Scholar (India and Linacre 2018)
University of Oxford