4 Simple Ways to Scan and Save Documents

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Easily scan important documents on desktop or mobile with this simple guide
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Do you need to scan a photo or document into your computer, phone, or tablet? If you have a scanner or a printer with scan capabilities, you'll be able to scan documents onto your Windows or Mac computer. If you don't have a scanner, you can also use the Notes app on your iPhone or the Google Drive app on your Android device. This wikiHow will show you how to scan and save documents onto your Windows or Mac computer, iPhone, and Android device.

Things You Should Know

  • For Windows, download Windows Scan and select your scanner. Place your document in the scanner and click the scan icon.
  • For Mac, select your scanner from Printers & Scanners in the system preferences. Put your document in the scanner and click Scan.
  • On iOS, open the Notes app and tap the camera icon. Then tap "Scan Documents" and point your camera at the document to scan.
  • On Android, open the Google Drive app, tap "+", and then select "Scan." Point your camera at your document to scan it.
Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Using Windows Scan

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  1. This looks like a white scanner with a blue background.
    • If you don't have Windows Scan, you'll need to download it from the Microsoft Store.
  2. Connect your printer to your computer. Make sure the printer is plugged in and turned on. [1]
    • Your printer must have a built-in scanner to scan documents.
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  3. If you have more than one printer connected to your computer, you'll need to click the Scanner field and select the printer you want to use.
    • If you don't see your scanner, navigate to Windows Settings → Devices → Printers & Scanners → Add a printer or scanner . Wait for your device to find nearby printers, then click Add device .
  4. Click the source field to choose between Flatbed or Feeder .
    • 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.
  5. You can choose between JPEG, PNG, TIFF, Bitmap, OPENXPS, XPS, or PDF.
    • When scanning anything other than a photo, it's best to select PDF .
  6. Click Resolution to change your resolution (DPI). You can select between 150, 300, or 600.
    • If you have a document with lots of small details, such as an image, select a higher DPI. This may increase your scan time, but the details of your scan will be much clearer. If you're scanning a simple black-and-white document, a lower DPI setting will work fine.
    • Change the destination folder by clicking Save file to . Use the File Explorer to select a new save location.
  7. If you're using the feeder, make sure they're in the correct order.
  8. This is the icon of the open scanner, on the bottom of the scan options.
    • Your printer will begin scanning the document.
    • When your scan is finished, you'll see a pop-up notification.
  9. You can also open the destination folder to find your scans.
    • This may be My Scans or Pictures .
    • If needed, you can email the scan .
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Using Mac

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  1. You'll also want to make sure that your scanner is on and connected to your computer before proceeding.
  2. Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
  3. It's at the top of the drop-down menu.
  4. This printer-shaped icon is on the right side of the System Preferences window.
  5. Click your scanner's (or printer's) name in the left-hand column.
    • If you don't see it, click the + in the lower-left side of the screen. Select your printer and click Add .
  6. It's at the top of the window.
  7. You'll find this near the top of the Scan tab window.
  8. It's in the lower-right side of the window.
  9. Click the "Format" drop-down box, then click a file type (e.g., PDF or JPEG ) that you want to use to save your file.
    • When scanning anything other than a photo, it's best to select PDF .
  10. Click the "Kind" drop-down box at the top of the page, then select a color option (e.g., Black and White ).
  11. Click the "Save To" drop-down box, then click a folder in which you want to save your scanned document (e.g., Desktop ).
  12. Depending on the type of file that you're scanning, you may want to change the "Resolution" value or the "Orientation" value here.
  13. It's in the bottom-right corner of the window. Your document will begin scanning into your computer.
    • When it finishes, you'll be able to find it in your selected save location.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Using iPhone or iPad

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  1. This is the icon with the yellow notepad.
    • 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.
  3. This will open your camera.
  4. You'll be able to compile multiple documents in the same PDF file as long as they are scanned in the same session. [2]
    • 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.
  5. If you scanned more than one document, there will be a number in parenthesis indicating the number of successful scans.
    • 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.
  6. 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.
  7. It's in the top-right corner of the screen.
  8. You can choose Save to Files , Save to Dropbox, Mail, and more.
    • Tap OK to save or send your scan.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Using an Android

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  1. You'll need to login to your Google account to use Google Drive.
  2. By default, the app should open on this page. If not, tap Home on the bottom left corner.
  3. It's in the bottom-right corner of the screen. A pop-up menu will appear.
  4. This camera-shaped icon is in the pop-up menu. Your device's camera will open.
    • If you're using the camera for the first time, you may receive a pop-up window. 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.
  5. The document should be centered in the middle of the screen.
    • Make sure that your document is flat and completely on-screen before proceeding.
  6. It's a blue-and-white circle at the bottom of the screen. This will scan your document.
    • 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. This is in the bottom-right corner of the screen. Doing so saves your scan.
    • You can also crop your scan by tapping and dragging any of the spheres located around the edge of the scan.
    • To add more pages to the PDF, tap + and then scan another item.
  8. Tap the three dots icon in the top-right corner, then tap Download .
    • You can also tap Send a copy if you want to email the scan.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Do I need ink in my printer to scan?
    Community Answer
    No. Ink is for printing, not for scanning. You just need documents and electricity to scan.
    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 10 Helpful 32
  • Question
    Can I scan a stack of documents to my PC, or do I have to scan them one at a time?
    Community Answer
    Well, seeing as you are scanning a piece of paper, probably one at a time, because the device you are scanning with will only be able to see one document at a time.
    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 5 Helpful 14
  • Question
    How do I email a scanned document?
    Community Answer
    Once you've scanned the document, open a blank email message and add an attachment. From there, just select your scanned document as the 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
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    Not Helpful 7 Helpful 29
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      Warnings

      • Attempting to scan wrinkled, dirty, or otherwise compromised documents will result in a lower quality scan.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/install-and-use-a-scanner-in-windows-10-4fd9f33a-25b6-159a-3cde-3f009b02a81a
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210336

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Place document face-down on scanner.
      2. Open Windows Fax and Scan .
      3. Click New Scan .
      4. Select your scanner.
      5. Select a document type from the “Profile” menu.
      6. Choose Color or Black and White .
      7. Select a file type.
      8. Click Preview .
      9. Click Scan .

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