converting questionnaire-type papers into computer files for editing
 

Is there a program out there that can quickly convert scanned images of paper forms with lots of checkboxes and lines (such as questionnaires) into a file that can be completed on the computer? Faced with one of those forms, if it has much length to it, completing it on the computer and then printing it would be faster than completing it by hand or with a typewriter.

Every time I've asked the question, OCR was suggested, but I never got it working. Maybe you'll have better luck.
Good Luck!

Actually EDDY1 is partly correct. In a normal sense you do have to convert text but not in the case of only using a checkbox. You could use the actual image and then add in some checkbox like an editable pdf or some common format word processing file.

I don't know what you have and who will see these but two parts are needed. You need to take the image and then add in checkboxes or some way for them to edit on an easy and constant manner. Then you need to be sure they can save the completed form.

Most people would usually start off by using an OCR program. I have used them for 30 years. Some special commercial ones are quite good. Not sure what ever happened to google helping out.

Many people go to a web based form but that is a lot of work to get it started.

I'd try to make an editable and saveable pdf that one can save to. It might require adobe's product however. Not sure if you can do that with openoffice or another yet. Someone else may know if that can be done.