Scanning Hardware Linked to Access Database

[lukasgill]

Wondering if anybody has any information about this.

Backgound information: My access database information comes from a 'card' where somebody has manually put crosses in a number of boxes. This information is currently being manually inputted into the database...

I know you can get scanners to pick up information from a document...but is this possible with microsoft access?

 

[Pat Hartman]

I think you need specialized OCR software to read the type of data you are talking about. Search for "mark sense" and see what turns up. Barcode scanners wouldn't work for this so you'd need a flatbed or some other specialized device that could read the entire card and convert the data to a file.

 

[DCrake]

Simple Software Solutions

Hi

There is software out there that will do what you want - with one exception - the one I use reads information both numeric and alpha from a submission form this is done by scanning the document and then queries any characters it can't decifer.

How it works is that you first create a template of the input document and indicate the coordinates where data is expected to be read. This prevents it from reading and pre printed wording.

Then you place the document in to the scanner and it is displaced on screen. You then eyeball it to make sure any oddities are corrected then you export the results. This data is then exported to an Excel or CSV file. This can then be used to import into Access.

Depending on the volumes of data you want to scan will determine whether or not you want to go down this route as it has quite a large set up cost. However it can soon repay for itself if your consider the time and effort doing the job mannualy.

Should you want any further info on this software I will send it on to you.

Code Master:

 

[lukasgill]

Many Thanks for your information, thats just the info i was looking to hear. I suspected i would have to use an exported documented to import data into access.

 

[lukasgill]

Many Thanks for your information, thats just the info i was looking to hear. I suspected i would have to use an exported documented to import data into access.

Some more information would be greatly appreciated, such as Hardware and Software needed.

Many Thanks

 

[DCrake]

Simple Software Solutions

Hi

Will dig out any relevant info and get back to you

Code Master:

 

[lukasgill]

Thanks, look forward to the info.