How to Email a Scanned Document as a PDF

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Do you have important documents you need to email to someone else? If you have a printer with a scanner or a smartphone, you'll be able to do so in a few simple steps! For overall compatibility, be sure to send your scans in PDF format. This wikiHow will teach you how to scan documents with your printer scanner, iPhone, or Android and send them to another person via email.

Things You Should Know

  • To use a printer with a built-in scanner, you'll need a connected computer.
  • When using your iPhone, you'll be able to save your scans as PDFs with the Notes app.
  • When using Android, you'll be able to scan documents using the Google Drive app.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using a Printer

PDF download Download Article
  1. Make sure the printer is plugged in. [1]
    • Your printer must have a built-in scanner to scan documents.
    • For Windows, navigate to Settings → Devices → Printers & Scanners → Manage . Select Scanner , then Open Scanner .
    • For Mac, navigate to System Preferences → Printers & Scanners → Scan → Open Scanner .
    Advertisement
    • When using the feeder, be sure you have selected the feeder option. This will let you scan multiple pages at once.
    • If you're using the flatbed, be sure to select the flatbed option. This will only let you scan one document at a time.
  4. Your printer will begin scanning the documents.
    • If you have a lot of documents, this may take some time.
  5. Their location will vary depending on your device settings.
    • For Windows, they will be located in My Scans or Pictures .
    • For Mac, they will automatically be saved in the Pictures folder.
    • If you can't locate your scans, use your printer application to see your recently scanned files. Click Settings and find Save in to locate the save destination.
  6. Convert your scans to PDF format. This makes it easier for your recipient to view your scans.
    • For Windows, open your scans and navigate to "File" then "Print". In the drop-down menu for "Printer", select "Microsoft Print to PDF". Click "Print". This will save your scans in PDF format. [2]
    • For Mac, open your scans and navigate to "File" then "Print". In the print menu, check off "PDF", then click "Save as PDF". [3]
    • Be sure to save your PDF scans in a location you will remember.
  7. You'll need to create the email that will hold your scanned documents. [4]
    • Type the recipient’s email address in the "To" field.
    • Be sure to reference the attachments in the body or subject of the email.
  8. The "Attach Files" button is usually a paper clip icon. [5]
    • Your PDF scans will be in the specified location from the previous steps.
  9. Depending on the email app you're using, the button may also be labeled OK or Attach .
    • You can also double-click on the located document.
    • Some applications offer drag-and-drop. To use this, simply drag your scanned documents into the body of the email. It will automatically be added as an attachment.
    • When they receive your message, the recipient will need to double-click or tap the attachment to view the scanned document you emailed to them.
    11. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using an iPhone

PDF download Download Article
  1. This is the icon with the yellow notepad. [6]
    • If it's not already installed, you can install it from the App Store.
  2. You can do this by clicking the pencil and note icon located at the top right or bottom right corner, depending on your iOS version. [7]
  3. This will open your camera. [8]
  4. You'll be able to compile multiple documents in the same PDF file as long as they are scanned in the same session. [9]
    • For best quality, scan your documents in a well-lit area and with steady hands.
    • The camera will automatically snap a photo when the scan has been detected.
    • You can manually press the white camera button to snap a photo.
    • If you need to retake a scan, click the scanned documents in the bottom left corner. Click Retake on the top right of the scan you want to retake.
  6. There will be a number in parenthesis indicating the number of successful scans. [10]
    • The scans will automatically be in PDF format.
    • If you scanned multiple documents in the same session, they will be compiled together in the same PDF file.
  7. This will bring up the document options.
    • Make sure you've selected the scanned document, not the Note.
    • It will say Scanned Document(s) at the top.
  9. This will be a blue icon with a white envelope.
  10. Add the recipient.
    • Be sure to reference the attachment in the body or subject of the email.
    • By default, iPhones will send Sent from my iPhone as an email tag. Delete this from the bottom of your email draft if you don't want the recipient to see.
  11. This will be indicated by the up-arrow within a circle.
    • Some phones will play a sound effect after sending emails.
    • To confirm, check your Sent folder in your mailbox.
    • If you delete it by mistake, you can always retrieve deleted mail .
    12. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using an Android

PDF download Download Article
  1. You will need to log in to your Google account to use Google Drive.
  2. On your homepage, you'll find recently viewed files.
  3. This will be indicated by a camera icon. [11]
  4. Google Drive will ask for camera permissions.
    • Select either While using the app or Only this time .
    • Do not select Don't allow since you need camera permission to scan documents from your phone.
    • For best quality, scan your documents in a well-lit area and with steady hands.
  6. This will take a picture of your scan. [12]
    • You can choose to Retry if you want to take the photo again.
    • Otherwise, click OK .
    • Google Drive will automatically convert your picture into a scan. If there is white space, it will automatically locate the borders of your document.
  7. You can edit the corners of the scan to make it as precise as you need. [13]
    • When you're finished, click Done .
    • You can also rotate to landscape or portrait mode.
  8. Click the document icon in the bottom left corner to add more scans.
  9. You can input a document title if you'd like. [14]
    • Google Drive will show you the account and folder you're saving to.
    • Google Drive will automatically save scans in PDF format.
  10. This will pull up a new window with options for your scanned documents.
    • Scans will be in the destination set during the previous step.
  11. You'll have to option to send via Bluetooth, Gmail, Messages, or other apps from your app list.
  12. Add the recipient.
    • Be sure to reference the attachment in the body or subject of the email.
  13. This will be indicated by the up-arrow within a circle.
    • To confirm, check your Sent folder in your mailbox.
    14. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I change the name of a scanned document after I have saved it to my desktop?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    For Windows, right-click the file and select "Rename". Type in the new name and press "Enter". For Mac, control-click the file. In the shortcut menu, select "Rename". Type in the new name and press "Return".
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
  • Question
    How do I attach several scans to an email in one step?
    Community Answer
    You can select multiple files by holding "CRTL" and then clicking on the files.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 11 Helpful 68
  • Question
    How do I scan a document and attach it to an email?
    Community Answer
    Upload the image from your scanner, then save it as a .jpeg or .png, or whichever format you prefer. Now you can attach it to your email by clicking "Attach" or "Send Attachment."
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 36 Helpful 80
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Scan a Document on a Canon Printer
      4 Simple Ways to Scan and Save Documents
      How to
      Scan Multiple Pages Into One PDF File
      6 Quick Ways to Scan Documents to PDF on Mobile or Desktop
      5 Easy Ways to Connect a Scanner to a Computer
      9 Easy Ways to Make a PDF: Free & Online
      How to
      Convert a File Into PDF
      How to
      Convert a Google Doc to a PDF on iPhone or iPad
      How to
      Send Someone an Email
      How to
      Email Files
      Opening PDF Files on Multiple Platforms with Troubleshooting Tips
      How to
      Convert Images to PDF
      How to
      Send an Email Using Gmail
      4 Easy Ways to Open an Email Sent to You
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/add-a-printer-or-scanner-in-windows-14d9a442-0bcb-e11c-7a6c-63f00efae79f
      2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/save-or-convert-to-pdf-on-your-mac-aa183751-1f09-4b8b-88a4-099a0c7528da
      3. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/guide/mac-help/mchlp1531/mac
      4. ↑ https://support.google.com/mail/answer/2487407?hl=en
      5. ↑ https://support.google.com/mail/answer/2487407?hl=en
      6. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/108963
      7. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/108963
      8. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/108963
      9. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/108963
      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/108963
      2. ↑ https://support.google.com/drive/answer/3145835?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid
      3. ↑ https://support.google.com/drive/answer/3145835?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid
      4. ↑ https://support.google.com/drive/answer/3145835?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid
      5. ↑ https://support.google.com/drive/answer/3145835?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Scan the document you want to send.
      2. Open your email application or email website.
      3. Compose a new email message.
      4. Type the recipient's email address in the "To:" field.
      5. Click the "attach files" button.
      6. Locate and click the scanned document.
      7. Click Open .
      8. Send the message.

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,052,961 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement