How to copy handwritten text on Mac
Copyable can read neat handwriting. Show the notes on screen, as a photo, a scan or a whiteboard in a meeting, press ⌘ ⇧ 2 and drag over them. Neat handwriting often works and messy notes may not; printed text is the reliable case.
How to do it with Copyable
Get a clear picture of the notes
Photograph the page straight on in good light, or open the scan, and make it large on screen.
Press ⌘ ⇧ 2 and drag over the text
Start with a few lines to see how well the writing is read before you capture a whole page.
Paste and check
Read the result against the original before you use it, especially names and numbers.
Without Copyable
The free ways, and where they stop working. If one of them covers what you need, you don’t need an app.
Live Text in Photos and Preview
Open the photo in Photos or Preview and try selecting the writing with Live Text.
Where it stops: The same trouble with messy writing, and only in Apple’s apps.
Notes on iPad
Handwriting in the Notes app on iPad, written with Apple Pencil, can be selected and copied as text there.
Where it stops: Only for notes written in that app, not for paper or whiteboards.
Tips for handwriting
- Separate letters read better than joined-up script.
- Dark ink on plain paper beats pencil on lined paper.
- Photograph whiteboards straight on, without glare from windows or lamps.
Questions
Does Copyable read cursive?
Sometimes. Neat handwriting often works; joined-up and messy writing less so. Try a few lines first.
Can it read a whiteboard in a video call?
If the writing is large and clear in the video, it is read like any other handwriting on screen.
Is my handwriting sent to a server?
No. Recognition happens on your Mac; Copyable makes no network requests.
Copy text from anything on your screen
Copyable reads the text in any area you select with ⌘ ⇧ 2, on your Mac, without uploading anything. $4.99 once, plus tax where it applies. Requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later, Apple silicon or Intel.
Buy for $4.99