A recent update to the Snipping Tool on Windows 11 has introduced an intriguing OCR feature, currently available only to users enrolled in the beta channel. This enhancement promises to streamline the process of extracting text from images, potentially eliminating the need for third-party applications or online services. For those eager to explore this functionality ahead of its official release, downloading the Canary build of Windows 11 provides an opportunity to experience the new feature firsthand.
It’s very easy to invoke
Upon accessing the updated Snipping Tool, users will find that activating the OCR feature is remarkably straightforward. There’s no need for additional configuration; simply launch the Snipping Tool as usual. A new button on the right side of the interface allows users to draw a box around the desired text, prompting Windows to process the selection. Once the text is recognized, a button appears on the Snipping Tool bar to copy the text directly to the clipboard, ready for pasting wherever needed. This simplicity is likely to resonate well with Windows users, making the tool a valuable addition to their digital toolkit.
It works great with regular text that isn’t in an image
Curiosity led me to test the Snipping Tool’s capabilities on a website, wondering if it could extract text from a standard webpage rather than just an image. After highlighting some text and clicking the “copy text” button, the tool successfully captured the highlighted content. Interestingly, the pasted text retained its original formatting, which could be advantageous for users who wish to maintain the aesthetic of the source material. While traditional copy-pasting remains an option, this feature could prove beneficial in scenarios where formatting is crucial or when direct text copying is problematic.
Grabbing easily readable text from an image works great
The true test of the Snipping Tool’s OCR prowess lies in its ability to handle images containing text. Users can bypass the tedious task of retyping by utilizing the OCR feature to extract text from images efficiently. My expectations were met when the tool processed an image with text, yielding results comparable to those obtained from standard text extraction. The accuracy of the OCR function in this context was commendable, confirming its utility for users seeking to save time.
Handwritten text detection is significantly hit or miss
However, the Snipping Tool’s performance falters when faced with handwritten text. Initial attempts to extract text from a challenging handwritten passage were unsuccessful. Even with more legible handwriting, the OCR struggled, producing numerous errors. Text designed to mimic handwriting also posed a challenge, resulting in failure. Therefore, it is advisable to reserve the OCR feature for clear, printed fonts to maximize its effectiveness.
The Snipping Tool is perfect…for fonts
Despite its limitations with handwriting, the Snipping Tool excels at recognizing simple fonts, significantly enhancing productivity by expediting the text extraction process. As anticipation builds for the feature’s broader rollout, users can look forward to a more efficient way of capturing text from images, further integrating this tool into their daily workflows.
