If you do not have the install CD that came with third-party software (or you have a OS that is not compatible with that software), you will need to get a OCR program. SimpleOCR (http://www.simpleocr.com/Download.asp ) is free but doesn't handle pages with columns well. (It merges across the column breaks instead separating the paragraphs.) It also doesn't handle handwritten text. This software outputs to a file for a Word Processor (such as Microsoft Office's Word). Most word processors either come with a PDF converter or have one available as an add-on. The commercial OCR software packages will include the save as a PDF function and do not have the limitations of SimpleOCR; although they also default initially to a format for Word Processing (to correct any mistakes). (I have used OmniPage at times personally.)
With most all-in-ones, if you have the full software installed, there will be an option for saving as a PDF. (This is true even on the versions that weren't bundled with OCR software.) If you have a generic OS driver or the basic driver, this will usually not be available Take a look at the screens that come up if you start the scan from the computer. (There will be a place to adjust settings, including the resolution and the output type.) This won't be editable unless you go through the OCR software.
I hope this helps.
Cindy Wells
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