How to digitize handwritten recipes
Updated
To digitize a handwritten recipe, take a photo of the page with your phone, flat and well lit. Grammage reads the handwriting and fills in the recipe: title, ingredients and steps. You check it, correct it if needed, and the recipe is filed in your notebook, together with the original photo.
No more typing everything out. And you keep the handwriting of the person who wrote it.
What you need
- A phone with a camera, or photos you've already taken.
- The notebook or the recipe cards.
- A Grammage account. It works in the web browser of your phone or computer.
The method, step by step
1. Get the page ready
Lay the notebook flat, near a window or in good light. Avoid your phone's shadow on the page.
2. Take the photo
In your Grammage notebook, tap "New recipe", then "Take a photo". Frame the whole page. If you already have photos, choose "Choose an image".
3. Let Grammage read the handwriting
In a few seconds, Grammage fills in the recipe: the title, the ingredients with their quantities, the steps, and sometimes the time or the number of servings if they're written down. Notes in the margin go into "Notes & tips".
4. Check and correct
Handwriting isn't always easy to read. Check the recipe while looking at the photo and correct what needs correcting. You can also add tags (dessert, winter…) and a photo of the dish.
5. File it
Put the recipe in a folder: starters, main dishes, desserts, or however you like to sort them. You'll then find it in the list or in book mode.
Special cases
- A recipe on two pages: add the second page under "Original pages", in the recipe.
- A badly damaged page: take the photo anyway. If the reading isn't good, correct it by hand with the help of the photo.
- A recipe told out loud: choose "type the recipe in by hand".
Frequently asked questions
Can Grammage read every kind of handwriting?
It tries to read handwriting, even on a stained page. Depending on the handwriting, it may get some words wrong: that's why you check it before saving, with the photo right next to it.
Is the original photo kept?
Yes. The photo of the page stays attached to the recipe. You keep both the easy-to-read version and the original handwriting.
How many recipes can I digitize for free?
Right now, you can digitize 10 recipes for free. You can also type recipes in by hand.
Do I need a scanner?
No. Your phone's camera is enough. You can also use photos or images you've already saved.