Description of the speech recognition and handwriting recognition methods in Word 2002

Microsoft Word 2002 includes two new methods of input: speech recognition and handwriting recognition.

The speech recognition feature allows you to literally speak to your computer via a microphone. With the appropriate system requirements, you can dictate text into Word, or, with a mouse click or spoken term, you can switch the input mode to Voice Command, so that you can control Word without clicking the menus.

The handwriting recognition feature allows you to input your handwriting, either by controlling a mouse or by using a third-party drawing tablet, such as those created by Wacom or Calcomp. This input can be automatically converted to typed text, or it can be left as an "ink object" in your own handwriting. The handwriting recognition feature also supports a drawing function, so that you can include hand-drawn sketches in your Microsoft Word document.

These new features use the SAPI 5 engine to turn on and turn off Voice Command mode and Dictation mode. These modes are controlled with the Language bar.

TOPICS

About the Language Bar

The Language bar is a system upgrade that is installed with Microsoft Office XP. The Language bar adds Alternative User Input devices and features that are accessed and controlled in a central location.

The Language bar appears in the upper-right corner of the screen in Microsoft Office programs. The Language bar's features are determined by the options that are installed. The basic controls that are accessed from the Language bar are Keyboard Language, Correction, Microphone, Handwriting, and Input Method Editors.

You can move the Language bar out of the way by temporarily hiding it. You can also close the Language bar, so that it no longer appears. If you close the Language bar, you cannot use the features on the Language bar.

NOTE: You cannot close the Language bar if you have installed an Input Method Editor (IME).

How to Remove the Language Bar

The Language bar is not part of speech recognition or handwriting recognition; it is a System Control Panel upgrade. Because of this, after the Language bar is installed, you cannot remove it by using Setup, although you can close it or minimize it.

How to Close the Language Bar

Right-click the Language bar, and then click Close the Language Bar. Click OK if you receive the following message: NOTE: The correct name of the Control Panel icon is Text Services.

How to Display the Language Bar Again

To display the Language bar, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel. (If you are using Microsoft Windows XP, click Start and then click Control Panel.)
2. Double-click Regional and Language Options.
3. Click the Language tab, and then click Details,
4. In prompt dialog box, click Language Bar under Preferences section, and then select the Show the Language bar on the desktop check box.

About System Requirements for Using Speech Recognition

Recognition response time depends on your computer's CPU speed and available system memory. You can expect good response on a 400 megahertz (MHz) Pentium II computer with 128 megabytes (MB) or more of random access memory (RAM). A slower computer or less memory results in slower response times.

The minimum requirements for dictation are:

• A 400 MHz Pentium or faster computer
• 128 MB or more of RAM
• Microsoft Windows 98 or later, or Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 or later
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 5 or later
• A high-quality close-talk (headset) microphone with gain adjustment support

NOTE: If you are installing speech recognition on Microsoft Windows 98 or Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition (Me), the Setup program checks for the minimum installed memory only. However, if you are installing on Microsoft Windows NT 4.0, Microsoft Windows 2000, or Microsoft Windows XP, the Setup program checks for both the minimum RAM installed as well as the minimum processor speed.

About Installing and Configuring Speech Recognition

The speech recognition feature is available in the Simplified Chinese, English (U.S.), and Japanese language versions of Microsoft Office.

After you install speech recognition, you can increase speech recognition accuracy by taking a few minutes to train the computer to recognize how you speak. To perform the training, you read aloud a prepared training text.

How to Install Speech Recognition

To install speech recognition, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel. (If you are using Windows XP, click Start and then click Control Panel.)
2. Double-click Add/Remove Programs.
3. Perform one of the following:
   • In Windows 98, Windows Millennium Edition (Me), or Windows NT 4.0, click Microsoft Office XP on the Install/Uninstall tab, and then click Add/Remove.
     
     -or-
   • In Windows XP and Windows 2000, click Change or Remove Programs. In the list of installed programs, click Microsoft Office XP, and then click Change.
4. Click Add or Remove Features, and then click Next.
5. In the Features to install list, click to expand Office Shared Features.
6. Click to expand Alternative User Input.
7. Click the Speech icon, and then click Run all from my computer on the shortcut menu.
8. Click Update to install speech components.

How to Turn On Speech Recognition

After you install speech recognition, the Microphone Wizard runs. This wizard starts either when you restart your computer after you install speech recognition, or when you click Speech the first time (on the Tools menu).

NOTE: You can also access the Microphone Wizard from the new Speech icon in Control Panel. (Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel. If you are using Windows XP, click Start and then click Control Panel.)

After you complete the steps to set up your microphone, speech recognition is technically installed. Next, you must complete the voice training (a minimum of two sessions is recommended). You then should be ready to begin using speech recognition to change the way that you interact with your computer.

To turn on speech recognition, click Microphone on the Language bar, and then click either Dictation or Voice Command.

How to Remove Speech Recognition

To remove speech recognition, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel. (If you are using Windows XP, click Start and then click Control Panel.)
2. Double-click Add/Remove Programs.
3. Perform one of the following:
   • In Windows 98, Windows Millennium Edition (Me), or Windows NT 4.0, click to select Microsoft Office XP on the Install/Uninstall tab, and then click Add/Remove.
     
     -or-
   • In Windows XP or Windows 2000, click to select Change or Remove Programs. In the list of installed programs, click Microsoft Office XP, and then click Change.
4. Click Add or Remove Features, and then click Next.
5. In the Features to install list, click to expand Office Shared Features.
6. Click to expand Alternative User Input.
7. Click the Speech icon, and then click Not Available on the shortcut menu.
8. Click Update to remove speech components.

IMPORTANT: When you remove speech recognition, you cannot remove the Language bar. For more information about the Language bar, please see the About the Language Bar section of this article.

For more information about installing and configuring speech recognition, click Microsoft Word Help on the Help menu, type installing speech in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topics returned.

About Installing and Configuring Handwriting Recognition

The handwriting recognition feature is available in the Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English, Japanese, and Korean language versions of Microsoft Office.

You use handwriting recognition to enter text into any Office program by writing instead of typing.

You can write by using a handwriting input device (such as a graphics tablet used with 3-D drawing programs or Computer Aided Drafting [CAD] software, or a tablet-PC) or you can write by using your mouse.

Your natural handwriting is converted to typed characters and is inserted inline with any existing text, at the same size as the existing text. In Microsoft Word and Microsoft Outlook, you can also choose the option to leave text in handwritten form.

To convert handwritten notes that were taken in a handheld device into Microsoft Word, follow the instructions that are included with your handheld device.

How to Install Handwriting Recognition

To install handwriting recognition, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel. (If you are using Windows XP, click Start and then click Control Panel.)
2. Double-click Add/Remove Programs.
3. Perform one of the following:
   • In Windows 98, Windows Millennium Edition (Me), or Windows NT 4.0, click Microsoft Office XP on the Install/Uninstall tab, and then click Add/Remove.
     
     -or-
   • In Windows XP or Windows 2000, click Change or Remove Programs. In the list of installed programs, click Microsoft Office XP, and then click Change.
4. Click Add or Remove Features, and then click Next.
5. In the Features to install list, click to expand Office Shared Features.
6. Click to expand Alternative User Input.
7. Click the Handwriting icon, and then click Run all from my computer on the shortcut menu.
8. Click Update to install handwriting components.

How to Turn On Handwriting Recognition

On the Language bar, click Handwriting and then select the input method that you prefer. For example, you can select from the following handwriting recognition input methods:

• If you click Writing Pad, a lined input box appears, in which you can draw.
  
  -or-
• If you click Write Anywhere, you can write anywhere on your screen. Your writing will be recognized and placed at the insertion point.
  
  -or-
• If you click Drawing Pad, a sketch input editor appears, in which you can insert hand-drawn images into your document.

How to Remove Handwriting Recognition

To remove handwriting recognition, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel. (If you are using Windows XP, click Start and then click Control Panel.)
2. Double-click Add/Remove Programs.
3. Perform one of the following:
   • In Windows 98, Windows Millennium Edition (Me), or Windows NT 4.0, click Microsoft Office XP on the Install/Uninstall tab, and then click Add/Remove.
     
     -or-
   • In Windows XP or Windows 2000, click Change or Remove Programs. In the list of installed programs, click Microsoft Office XP, and then click Change.
4. Click Add or Remove Features, and then click Next.
5. In the Features to install list, click to expand Office Shared Features.
6. Click to expand Alternative User Input.
7. Click the Handwriting icon, and then click Not Available on the shortcut menu.
8. Click Update to remove handwriting components.

IMPORTANT: When you remove handwriting recognition, you cannot remove the Language bar. For more information about the Language bar, please see the About the Language Bar section of this article.

For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: For more information about installing and using handwriting recognition, click Microsoft Word Help on the Help menu, type handwriting in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topics returned.