TIPS AND TRICKS
Using a scanner and Word Perfect Watermark feature
to fill in pre-printed froms
by Loui Tucker

You've got a typewriter in your office, but about the only time you use it is when you are required to submit a form to some agency (federal or state government, bank, title company, etc.). There are always a few forms that are not included in the standard forms software on your computer and they are not even available on line!

What to do??? A trick using a scanner and Word Perfect's watermark feature makes it possible to put those forms on your computer!

First, scan that form to a file on your computer. You do not have to run it through an OCR (optical character reader) software to turn it into text. Just scan it to a picture file, with an extension such as .jpg or .gif. or .tif.

Open Word Perfect to a blank screen and follow these step.

1. Format - Margins. Set the margins as small as your printer will allow.
2. Format - Line - Line Height - Fixed. Set a fixed line height of .10.
3. View - Shadow Cursor - On (make sure it is checked).
4. Insert - Watermark - Watermark A - Create. You'll have a small full-page image
5. Insert - Graphics - From File. Locate and select the file you just scanned.
6. Right-click on watermark's image. Select Image Tools from the menu; then
   select the Edit Attributes button. Adjust the Brightness setting to darken the image.
7. Exit that editing window. File - Close will close the watermark window and return to your document.

Now you're ready to type on the form which appears on your screen. Using the Shadow Cursor, point to the spot where you want to type. Click and type. Repeat as necessary until you've filled in your form. Save your completed form when you're done.

If you need to edit your answers, you don't need to use White-Out and your typewriter. Just retrieve the file and edit as you would any document. Oh, and if you think you might need this form again, store the blank form in your Forms directory.

Tips and Tricks by Loui Tucker
Supporting Word Perfect, Word, Timeslips, Abacus, TimeMatters
and many other software packages used in today's law offices.
www.louitucker.com