How can I scan paper documents & save as word files?

If you want to be able to modify the text, it'll take some sort of OCR software to convert the picture that is scanned in, into a text file.

I've been using OmniPage Pro, but have upgraded to the X version yet because I don't want to buy a new scanner (no twain widget support in X), and it works in classic anyways.

Because of the current state of scanner support in OS X, matching up scanners and OCR software is a bit more difficult than OS 9.

 

If you have a lot of these documents, look for a copy/print shop with an autofeed scanning machine. I used to work in a place like this, and for a modest price they will take care of it for you. Depending on the quality of the originals, you may or may not have to go through and find any errors that the converting software made. If you are talking about a one time thing with a whole lot of stuff, this is the way to go. I could scan like 30 sheets of 8 1/2 x 11 inch paper per minute.