# Can I write on a Word document by hand?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-write-on-a-word-document-by-hand/785678
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [May 1, 2017, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-write-on-a-word-document-by-hand/785678 "2017-05-01T23:59:48Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)
#### Post date: [May 1, 2017, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-write-on-a-word-document-by-hand/785678/1 "2017-05-01T23:59:48Z")
It would solve a problem in teaching if I could write solutions to questions by hand, but on something like an iPad, and then save it that way and print them out. Is there something that can do that, even if it’s not really Word? MS Word would be best, though.
Thanks
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### Author:  [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)
#### Post date: [May 2, 2017, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-write-on-a-word-document-by-hand/785678/2 "2017-05-02T00:18:39Z")
There are a lot of apps that allow this. Just go to the app store and do a search on Note/notebook applications. If you want to get some clarity on features before you reach the store, do some Googling on Note apps first and get an idea of which ones are considered the best and what features they offer.
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### Author:  [@Weisshund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weisshund)
#### Post date: [May 2, 2017, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-write-on-a-word-document-by-hand/785678/3 "2017-05-02T00:37:35Z")
If you want MS word, any windows 10 touch screen device can recognize handwriting.
Sadly apple does not have macbooks with touchcreen, but ipads do.
Android also has handwriting recognition available.
What you are asking for has actually been around a very long time, since windows 3.1 era that i remember.
If you say what hardware you intend to use, im sure you can get info on exactly how to set it up here.
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### Author:  [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)
#### Post date: [May 2, 2017, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-write-on-a-word-document-by-hand/785678/4 "2017-05-02T00:42:32Z")
Yeah, you can just use the Draw tab in Office 2016:
> **[Draw and write with ink in Office - Microsoft Support](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/draw-and-write-with-ink-in-office-6d76c674-7f4b-414d-b67f-b3ffef6ccf53?redirectSourcePath=%252fen-us%252farticle%252fDraw-and-annotate-with-ink-in-Office-2016-c00b7319-2b50-4784-8114-47593d991c5c)**
>
> Draw, write, or highlight text in Office apps with digital ink using your finger, digital pen, or mouse.
It looks like this:
> **[Google Drive: Sign-in](https://accounts.google.com/v3/signin/identifier?dsh=S520288832%3A1681247190299659&continue=https%3A%2F%2Fdrive.google.com%2Ffile%2Fd%2F0B079MqTQ_P2LenJSQzJ0WWMwSWs%2Fview%3Fusp%3Dsharing&followup=https%3A%2F%2Fdrive.google.com%2Ffile%2Fd%2F0B079MqTQ_P2LenJSQzJ0WWMwSWs%2Fview%3Fusp%3Dsharing&ifkv=AQMjQ7RdYmXigDtofvBTClwJNooNLLtlg29nf9d39jvVWPIhU26qGVVwtA0hxRNX79exqvlQ_761Mw&osid=1&passive=1209600&service=wise&flowName=GlifWebSignIn&flowEntry=ServiceLogin)**
>
> Access Google Drive with a Google account (for personal use) or Google Workspace account (for business use).
You can use your mouse, touchpad, or get a Wacom tablet:
> **[Wacom Intuos Photo Pen and Touch (Old Version)](https://www.amazon.com/Wacom-Intuos-Photo-Touch-Version/dp/B010LHRWN4)**
>
> Intuos Photo makes photo projects fun and easy. Use it to create memorable images, beautiful photo books, and incredible cards and crafts. Intuos Photo brings your photos to life in so many different ways. You'll be amazed at what you can create....
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### Author:  [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)
#### Post date: [May 2, 2017, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-write-on-a-word-document-by-hand/785678/5 "2017-05-02T07:01:28Z")
Microsoft Word absolutely has the ability to write on it. There is also an “ink to math” function whereby it will turn your handwriting into an actual equation. Works pretty well but takes a little playing with to be accurate.
OneNote is really the best MSFT teaching device and is fully touch and ink enabled.
There is a Microsoft app in beta called “whiteboard” that is pretty good. Not sure if you can access it.
You need to use a Windows 10 operating system with a touch/handwriting (ink) enabled screen.
Here is a blog that describes Windows enabled EDU devices on a school budget: [Announcing Intune for Education & new Windows 10 PCs for school starting at $189 | Windows Experience Blog](https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2017/01/24/announcing-intune-education-new-windows-10-pcs-school-starting-189/#vCjHRJr0oCKYxlO5.97)
May 2 MSFT is going to make a major EDU announcement. Look at the headlines.