How the Conversion Works

When people ask “**can remarkable 2 convert handwriting to text**,” they usually imagine it happening instantly as they write, like on an iPad. That is not how reMarkable operates.

On the reMarkable, handwriting conversion is a batch process. You write your notes freely, without distraction. When you are finished, you follow these steps:

1. Tap the Share/Export icon in the menu.
2. Select “Convert to Text.”
3. The device sends your page to the cloud server for processing.
4. A preview window appears, showing you the converted text.
5. You can edit the text using the on-screen keyboard to fix any typos.
6. You can then save it as a new page in your notebook or send it via email.

This “write first, convert later” philosophy ensures that the technology never interrupts your flow state.

How Accurate Is It Really?

The reMarkable uses the MyScript engine, which is widely considered the industry standard for handwriting recognition. In our testing, the answer to “**can remarkable 2 convert handwriting to text** accurately” is a resounding yes—provided you follow basic rules.

• Cursive vs. Print: It handles both exceptionally well. In fact, it often recognizes connected cursive better than print because it analyzes the “flow” of the stroke rather than just the shape.
• Angle: It can read text written at a slight angle (e.g., if you write diagonally across the page).
• Messiness: Unless your handwriting is illegible to a human, the AI will likely decipher it. It uses context clues (like the rest of the sentence) to guess ambiguous words.

The Wi-Fi Requirement

This is the biggest “gotcha” for new users. The reMarkable 2 does not have a powerful enough processor to perform OCR locally on the device.

Therefore, whenever you ask “**can remarkable 2 convert handwriting to text**,” the implied condition is “if you are connected to the internet.” If you are on an airplane or in a cabin without Wi-Fi, the “Convert to Text” button will be greyed out or will return an error. The conversion happens on reMarkable’s cloud servers, not on the tablet itself.

Do You Need a Subscription?

There is a lot of confusion about the “Connect” subscription. Let’s clear it up.

Supported Languages

The OCR engine is not limited to English. The reMarkable supports over 30 languages, including French, German, Spanish, Italian, Swedish, and Norwegian.

Crucial Tip: You must set the “Handwriting Language” in the settings menu before you convert. If you write in French but the device is set to English, the conversion will be gibberish. You can change this setting per notebook if you are multilingual.

What It Cannot Convert

While the answer to “**can remarkable 2 convert handwriting to text**” is yes for standard sentences, it fails with non-linear notes.

• Math Equations: It will try to turn your algebra into letters. It does not support LaTeX or math conversion.
• Diagrams & Sketches: If you draw a flowchart, the OCR will simply ignore it or turn the text inside the boxes into a jumbled list.
• Complex Layouts: If you write in multiple columns or write text vertically in the margins, the conversion engine will likely read it left-to-right, mashing your columns together into nonsense.

For the best results, write in standard horizontal lines, just like you would on a legal pad.

Final Verdict

So, **can remarkable 2 convert handwriting to text** well enough for daily use?