Handwriting-to-text with apple pencil on iPad

Question

I lost my pencil and had to buy another one. Now, my handwriting-to-text feature doesnt work. Although it worked fine with the previous pencil and I still have the symbol to activate it (the pencil tip with an “a” on it, next to the other pencil tips and highlighters), I can’t figure out how to make it work.

When I look in the help section, it says iPads are not equipped with the handwriting-to-text feature.

Does anyone know anything about this and, if so, how to make it work again?

Many thanks. JM+

Answer 1

OneNote for iPad does not support handwriting-to-text conversion. Handwriting can be entered with Apple Pencil or touch, but it cannot be converted into typed text in the iPad app.

The icon with the pencil tip and an “a” is for inking/drawing mode, not for converting handwriting to text. The behavior seen previously was not true handwriting recognition within OneNote for iPad. Current documentation explicitly states that handwriting-to-text is not available on iPad, and the feature is also not available on iPhone.

To work with ink on iPad in OneNote:

1. Use the Draw tab to select pens/highlighters and write with Apple Pencil or finger.
2. Use Text Mode on the Draw tab to return to typing.
3. Handwritten notes will remain as ink; they cannot be converted to typed text in OneNote for iPad.

If handwriting-to-text is required, it must be done using another platform or tool that supports handwriting recognition, then brought into OneNote as typed text.

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References:

• Switch between drawing and text mode in OneNote for iPad or iPhone
• Handwrite, draw, and sketch in OneNote for iPad or iPhone
• Select a drawing mode in OneNote for iPad or iPhone