4 Simple Ways to Scan and Save Documents

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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.

• 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.

Using Windows Scan

• If you don't have Windows Scan, you'll need to download it from the Microsoft Store.

• Your printer must have a built-in scanner to scan documents.

• 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.

• 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.

• When scanning anything other than a photo, it's best to select PDF.

• 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.

Place a document face-down in your scanner. If you're using the feeder, make sure they're in the correct order.

• Your printer will begin scanning the document.
• When your scan is finished, you'll see a pop-up notification.

• This may be My Scans or Pictures.
• If needed, you can email the scan.

Using Mac

Place a document face-down in your scanner. You'll also want to make sure that your scanner is on and connected to your computer before proceeding.

Click Printers & Scanners . This printer-shaped icon is on the right side of the System Preferences window.

• If you don't see it, click the + in the lower-left side of the screen. Select your printer and click Add.

• When scanning anything other than a photo, it's best to select PDF.

Decide on a color. Click the "Kind" drop-down box at the top of the page, then select a color option (e.g., Black and White).

Select a storage location. Click the "Save To" drop-down box, then click a folder in which you want to save your scanned document (e.g., Desktop).

Change other options on the page. Depending on the type of file that you're scanning, you may want to change the "Resolution" value or the "Orientation" value here.

• When it finishes, you'll be able to find it in your selected save location.

Using iPhone or iPad

Open the Notes icon app." width="460" height="345" />

• If it's not already installed, you can install it from the App Store.

Create a new note. 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Make sure you've selected the scanned document, not the Note.
• It will say Scanned Document(s) at the top.

• Tap OK to save or send your scan.

Using an Android

• If you don't have an account, you can create an account.
• If needed, download Google Drive from the Google Play Store.

• This is where you can add files or store pictures.

• 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.

• Make sure that your document is flat and completely on-screen before proceeding.

• 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.

• 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.

• You can also tap Send a copy if you want to email the scan.

Community Q&A

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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.

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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.
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Tips

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

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