[NFBCS] pdf conversion tools

[Bryan Duarte]

Hey Cricket, 

As Jim already pointed out, converting from a powerpoint to pdf is doable, the reverse is not. If the powerpoint is made up of images to begin with there is not a lot you can do unless you have OCR software and run it on the PDF version of the file. Most OCR softwares should allow for you to save the output to word or txt. I found Voicedream reader to work very well for doing this. Here is what I would recommend you do. 

1. convert the powerpoint to pdf in the Microsoft powerpoint application. 
2. Run your OCR software on the pdf to extract the text. 
3. Save the output to word or plain text. 

If this does not work you might have to ask your professor to get you another version that is not all images or get your resource center to convert it for you. 

Bryan Duarte Ph.D. 


> On Oct 22, 2022, at 1:37 PM, Wendy Walker via NFBCS <nfbcs at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> We have had luck with the following when it comes to power point documents:
> Go to the original power point and enable saving
> now do a save as and select the option of outline in RTF instead of power point
> now save the document  and it will be an RTF file
> 
> This is not perfect but reads better than a power point with a screen reader.
> 
> Hope this is what you are looking for.
> 
> Wendy Walker
> 
> 
>> On 10/22/22, Jim Barbour via NFBCS <nfbcs at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> I don’t understand why the OCR options didn’t work.
>> 
>> I would definitely not expect you to be able to convert the PDF back to
>> PowerPoint or work.
>> 
>> What happened when you tried to OCR the images?
>> 
>> Any chance you can get the original PowerPoint?
>> 
>> Jim
>> 
>> Written while on the move,,
>> 
>>> On Oct 22, 2022, at 4:58 PM, Cricket X. Bidleman via NFBCS
>>> <nfbcs at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Hi folks,
>>> 
>>> I have a pdf file that was converted from a powerpoint, so everything
>>> is reading with JAWS and VoiceOver as images since that's how slides
>>> appear. I tried opening the file in Word.  I tried converting it back
>>> to a powerpoint. I tried converting the file to a .txt. Also tried
>>> JAWS OCR mode, and also OpenBook. None of that worked. Are there any
>>> other tools that you find helpful and reliable? Thanks.
>>> 
>>> Best,
>>> Cricket
>>> 
>>> --
>>> Cricket X. Bidleman, B.A (she/her/hers)
>>> M.A Candidate | Stanford Journalism Class of 2022
>>> Co-Chair | Stanford Daily Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
>>> Member | Blind Advisory Committee, California Department of Vocational
>>> rehabilitation
>>> 
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