8.0

Figure 1. Sample of a machine-readable form containing the main elements

• Data fields. All forms designed for information gathering contain data fields. These fields are

usually accompanied by an explanatory text. Data fields can be of the following type:

Text fields used to enter text information. Such fields are groups of character cells for

entry of characters. The design of a text field prompts the person filling out the form to

use separate characters.

Checkmarks are also designed for information gathering. However, users need not write

any text but only mark the necessary items. A checkmark usually has a closed contour (a

square, circle, or polygon), and the information is entered by entering a certain sign (for

example, a tick or cross) inside the contour. Sometimes a checkmark does not have a

contour, in which case the user must position the sign against the white background in the

specified place on the page. If you wish to allow correcting checkmarks, select the

corresponding option when creating the template. In such cases an inked-out checkmark

will be considered unchecked.

Checkmark groups. A checkmark group consists of several checkmarks located close to

each other and connected logically. As a rule, answers corresponding to checkmarks

within a single group are mutually exclusive. In other words, only one checkmark in a

group may be checked.

Data fields can also be represented by tables.

• Anchors. Anchors are used to determine page orientation and to match the template. The

program also uses reference elements to monitor and correct (deskew) image distortions that may

appear during scanning. Anchors can be represented by black squares (preferably), crosses, or

corners. We recommend that you use 5 anchors on a form: four at each corner and one at one of

the sides, in order for the page orientation to be reliably detected. Template matching will then

be fast and accurate. In addition, you will be able to capture in a single stream forms printed

using different printers and even those received by fax.

• Identifiers. Identifiers are used to detect the form to which a page belongs and to select the

necessary template if there are several templates with similar sets of reference elements in the

batch. If you process several forms in a single stream, you must put a unique element on each

page of a form. This element will tell the program to which form the page belongs. Identifiers

can be barcodes, anchors, separators, or static text (for example, a form title or a piece of

explanatory text).

• Graphical images. You may need to save certain objects as images such as pictures, signatures,

seals, or stamps, for example. ABBYY FlexiCapture 8.0 Professional can save image objects and

export them to files or databases.

• Decorative elements. A form can contain certain decorative elements, for example a company

logo.

4.1.2. Marking of data fields

All machine-readable forms can be divided into the following groups by arranging and marking

character cells: color drop-out forms, raster forms, and black-and-white linear forms.

• Color drop-out forms. Character cells on such forms are white rectangles against a color or

grayscale background. Each character cell is intended for one character. You must select the