Buzz
Seeking a swift method to transform a paper document into a PDF file? The process of scanning documents is simpler than you might think—you can even utilize your iPhone, iPad, or Android device instead of a traditional flatbed scanner or all-in-one printer! This Mytour article will enlighten you on the most effective approaches to scan documents and store them as PDF files on any computer, phone, or tablet. Furthermore, if you've already scanned your document in a different format, we'll demonstrate how to convert it into a PDF format that's easy to share.
Steps
iOS Devices: iPhone and iPad
- The Notes app comes pre-installed on your iPhone or iPad. If you've deleted the application, you can download it again for free from the App Store.
Tap the camera icon. Locate the icon resembling a camera—either at the screen's bottom for iPhone or top for iPad. This action prompts a camera menu.
Tap Scan Documents. Opt for the initial option within the camera menu.
Position your iPhone or iPad over the document. Ensure the entire page is visible to your camera. Keep your device steady for an automatic capture, indicated by a yellow flash upon detection.
Repeat the process for all pages. Once you've scanned the initial page, proceed to the next, placing it on the surface for automatic scanning. Continue this process for subsequent pages.
Tap the preview image at the bottom-left corner. Access the thumbnail image of your recent scan for a preview of all your scans.
Select a page for optional editing. If you wish to make edits, simply tap on the desired page to view a full-screen preview.
Proceed with page edits (optional). Choose from various options at the screen's top or bottom to modify the page. Options include:
- Select Retake or the plus (+) icon to capture another image and replace the scan.
- Tap the square icon with an arrow in the upper-right corner to rotate the page.
- Choose the icon with three circles to apply a filter to the page.
- Opt for the icon depicting two angles forming a square to crop the page.
- Utilize the trashcan icon to remove the page.
- Tap Done once you've completed editing the page.
Share- If you're using an iPad, select the icon with three dots (⋯) located in the upper-right corner instead. Then, choose Send a copy.
Opt for Save to Files. This action allows you to store the scan as a PDF in your iPhone's storage or iCloud Drive.
Choose where to store the file. Select either On my iPhone/iPad or iCloud Drive. Then, pick a folder to save the scan to.
Tap Save. This action saves the scan as a PDF to your chosen location.
Adobe Scan (Android and iOS)
Install Adobe Scan. Adobe Scan, available for iPhone, iPad, and Android devices, is a mobile app that facilitates document scanning into PDF format using your device's camera. Download Adobe Scan for free from the Google Play Store on Android or the App Store on iPhone and iPad with the following steps:
- Access the Google Play Store (Android) or the App Store (iPhone and iPad).
- Navigate to the Search tab (iPhone and iPad only).
- Input 'Adobe Scan' in the search field.
- Select Adobe Scan from the search results.
- Tap GET or Install adjacent to the Adobe Scan icon.
Launch Adobe Scan. Recognizable by its blue icon featuring the Adobe logo, open Adobe Scan by tapping its icon on your Home screen or Apps menu. Alternatively, select Open from the Google Play Store or App Store once the download is complete.
Login to Adobe Scan. Sign in options include your Google, Facebook, or Apple ID. Choose Sign in with Google, Sign in with Facebook, or Sign in with Apple. Alternatively, opt for Sign in or sign up to create or log in with your Adobe ID.
Grant Adobe Scan camera and notification access. Simply tap Allow or Ok when prompted.
Capture a picture of the document. Hold your device over the document and tap the capture button, typically a large circular button at the screen's bottom.
Choose Keep Scanning. Save the scanned page and continue to scan additional pages. If needed, retake images or adjust the document's outline.
Capture the subsequent page. Repeat the capture process for each page of your document. Use the capture button at the bottom of the screen. Adjust the outline as required.
Access the image thumbnail. Once you've taken a picture of your document, a small thumbnail image appears in the lower-right corner. Tap it to view the scanned document, displaying only the pages without background or table elements.
Name your document. Tap the title at the page's top, then input a name in the pop-up's first bar. Tap the blue Rename button.
Perform final adjustments. Tap the page you wish to adjust, then utilize the tools at the screen's bottom. Tools include:
- Add Page: Scan another page for your document.
- Reorder: Change page order by dragging pages.
- Crop: Adjust page cropping.
- Rotate: Rotate the page.
- Filters: Alter page appearance (options: original color, auto-color, light text, grayscale, or whiteboard).
- Cleanup: Use finger to clean up areas, then tap the checkmark icon.
- Resize: Change page size.
- Delete: Remove the page.
Save as PDF. Located in the upper-right corner, this option saves the PDF to your device. View the document in Adobe Scan, Adobe Acrobat, web browser, or any PDF-compatible app. Optionally, save the document as a JPEG by tapping Save as JPEG after scanning.
Windows
Establish a connection between your scanner and computer. Utilize the USB cable or opt for wireless connection over your network if supported. Refer to the manufacturer's guide for specific instructions.
Position your document in the scanner. For flatbed scanners, place the document face down on the glass top, aligning it with any markings. For scanners with automatic document feeders, position the document face up in the tray.
Search for Fax and Scan. Type fax and scan into Start to locate the Fax and Scan program on your computer.
Access Fax and Scan. Click the printer-shaped icon labeled Fax and Scan at the top of the Start window.
Initiate a New Scan. Click New Scan situated on the upper-left corner of the Fax and Scan window to open a new scanning window.
Ensure your scanner is chosen. Verify the selected scanner under the 'Scanner' section matches your intended device. If not, click Change... to select the correct scanner.
Choose a document type. Open the 'Profile' drop-down menu and select one of the following options:
- Photo
- Documents
Indicate scanner type. From the 'Source' drop-down menu, select one of the following options:
- Feeder - For scanners with a chute for document feeding, suitable for scanning multiple documents into one PDF.
- Flatbed - For scanners with a lift-up lid for placing documents.
Initiate scanning. Click Scan at the window's bottom to start scanning your document into the computer.
- You can adjust color options before clicking Scan.
Save the file. Once scanning completes, click File at the upper-left corner to access a drop-down menu.
Choose Print…. It's located in the drop-down menu.
Opt for Microsoft Print to PDF or Adobe PDF. It's within the large box under 'Select Printer.'
- If these options are unavailable, default to scanning your image as an image, then convert it to a PDF.
Click Print. Located on the lower-right side of the window.
Pick a save location. Click on a folder displayed on the left side of the window.
Enter a name for your PDF. Input the desired name in the field next to the 'File name' heading.
Tap Save. Located at the bottom of the window. This action will save your scanned file as a PDF in your chosen location.
Mac
Link your scanner to your computer. Depending on your scanner, you can either use a USB cable or connect wirelessly through your home Wi-Fi network if your scanner supports it.
- Each scanner operates differently, so refer to the manufacturer's user guide for proper connection instructions.
Insert your document's first page. If you're using a flatbed scanner, raise the lid and place the document face down on the glass surface. Ensure it aligns with any markings on the scanner. For scanners with automatic document feeders, place the document face up in the tray.
Click System Preferences…. Found in the Apple menu. This action opens the System Preferences menu.
Tap Printers & Scanners. Located under the printer icon.
Choose your scanner. The list on the left displays all previously connected printers and scanners. Click on your current scanner model to select it.
- Devices marked with a red dot and labeled 'Offline' are unavailable. Ensure your scanner is powered on and connected if it shows this status.
Select the Scan option (for multi-function printers). If your printer can print, scan, and copy, select the Scan tab at the top.
Click Open Scanner. Listed below your scanner model at the top. This action opens the scan utility.
Check or uncheck 'Use document feeder.' Depending on your scanner type, tick the box next to 'Use document feeder' if you have an automatic document feeder tray. If using a flatbed scanner, ensure this box remains unchecked.
Tap Show Details. Found as the second button in the lower-right corner. This reveals all scanner options.
Choose your paper size. If 'Use custom size' is selected, deselect it, then pick your paper size from the drop-down menu next to 'Size.' US Letter (8.5' x 11') is a common choice.
Indicate the saving location. Use the drop-down menu next to 'Scan to' to pick where you want to save the document. By default, documents are saved to your 'Pictures' folder. You can opt for your 'Documents' folder or save it to your Desktop for easy access.
Opt for 'PDF' format. Choose 'PDF' from the drop-down menu next to 'Format.'
Check the box next to 'Combine into single document' (for multiple pages). When scanning multiple pages, ensure to tick the box next to 'Combine into single document.' This guarantees that all pages are stored in one file.
Hit Scan. Initiates scanning for the first page of your document.
Insert the second page into the scanner. For a flatbed scanner, position the second page face down on the glass surface. For an automatic document feeder, load all pages into the tray.
- If your scanner doesn't support double-sided scanning, manually flip the page and re-scan to capture both sides.
Click Scan. Scans the second page of your document. Repeat for additional pages. Once done, your document is saved as specified.
Converting an Image File to PDF
Access the PNG to PDF website. Visit http://png2pdf.com/ using your computer's browser. If direct PDF scanning wasn't possible, this site helps convert scanned image files (like PNGs) into PDFs.
- For JPG scans, use http://jpg2pdf.com/ instead.
Tap UPLOAD FILES. Positioned at the center of the page, this action triggers a File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) window to open.
Choose your scanned image. Navigate to the folder where your scanned image resides, then click to select it.
Tap Open. Located in the bottom-right corner of the window, this action uploads the image to the PNG (or JPG) to PDF site.
Wait for your image to convert to a PDF. This process usually completes within a few seconds.
Tap DOWNLOAD. Positioned beneath your converted file in the center of the window, this initiates the download of your PDF onto your computer.
Helpful Hints
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If you're using Windows 7 or an older version, direct scanning to PDF might not be supported. In such cases, opt for default scan settings and then convert the image to PDF.
Important Notes
- While Fax and Scan (Windows) and Image Capture (Mac) come free with their respective systems, utilizing Adobe Acrobat or similar tools for scanning to PDF may necessitate a paid subscription or account.
