3 Easy Ways to Scan Documents on Smartphone
Did you know that scanning documents can now be done easily on your phone? That’s right! If you don’t have time to visit a photocopy shop or don’t own a scanner at home, you can simply use a few methods to scan documents directly on your phone, as recommended by the Carisinyal team.
These methods involve using apps like Google Drive, Microsoft Lens, and Adobe Scan, all of which are available for download on the Google Play Store.
Using Google Drive
Scanning documents using Google Drive is an easy and efficient way to keep your files safe. Let's follow these steps to scan documents using the Google Drive application on your smartphone:
1. Select the scan option
Open the Google Drive app on your phone. Then, tap the “+ New” icon in the right corner of the screen. Select the “Scan” option and scan the prepared document. You can use the manual scanning feature or auto-capture.
For example, the Carisinyal team uses auto-capture, so the application will scan documents automatically. Make sure you have enough lighting around you.
After the scanning process is complete, a preview menu will appear. You can continue the scanning process by pressing the “+” sign to the right of the previous scan. Especially if the document consists of several pages.
2. Edit the scans
In the preview menu as well, you will find several editing options such as crop and rotate, filter, removal of objects around the scan, “Retake” option to rescan, and “Delete” option to delete the scan. Feel free to use all these tools as needed.
When you're done and you're happy with the results, press the “Done” button in the top right corner of the screen.
3. Save the documents
You will be directed to the storage page. Here, give the scanned document a name and select the file type—such as PDF, as chosen by the Carisinyal team.
Next, choose the location where you want to save the scanned file. Make sure you're signed in to an active Google account, as the scans will be stored in Google Drive. Once everything is set, simply press the "Save" button to save the file. Done!
Using Microsoft Lens
Microsoft Lens is a convenient scanner app that makes it easy to scan documents and convert them into digital formats.
With its user-friendly interface and advanced features, Microsoft Lens allows you to quickly digitize important files. Here’s how you can use it:
1. Download and run Microsoft Lens
Download and run the Microsoft Lens app on your phone. Then, tap on the “Start Scanning” option and press the “Next” button until you get to the scanning page.
2. Scan the documents
Select the appropriate scanning mode in Microsoft Lens, such as "Document" for text documents, or other modes like "Business Card," "Whiteboard," or "Photo." In this example, we'll choose "Document."
Next, point your camera at the document you want to scan. Ensure the document is in focus and fully visible within the frame on your screen. Press the shutter button to capture the image. Microsoft Lens will automatically detect and highlight the document's edges for a precise scan.
3. Edit the scan results
After capturing the photo, you can edit the scan by selecting the area you want to keep and adjusting the edges if necessary. Once you're satisfied with the result, press "Confirm."
You'll then be taken to the editing menu, where you can further refine your scan. Here, you have options to crop, rotate, add filters, text, or even rescan the document. Simply use the tools as needed to perfect your scan.
On the right corner of the screen, there is an “Options” menu that you can use to determine the size of the scanned file. From the lowest quality to the highest resolution. Choose according to your needs too.
Once the editing process is complete, press “Done”.
4. Save the documents
Once you're ready to save, the save menu will appear. Rename the document as you wish, and choose the desired file format—such as JPEG, PDF, or PPT. You also have the option to save the file directly to OneNote or OneDrive through Microsoft. When everything is set, press the "Save" button to finish.
Using Adobe Scan
Another option is to utilize applications developed by Adobe. Follow these steps to scan documents on your smartphone using Adobe Scan:
1. Download dan run Adobe Scan
Download and run the Adobe Scan app on your phone. Then, register/login using your active Gmail account. After successfully logging in, give the application permission to access the camera phone.
2. Scan the documents
Prepare the document you wish to scan. Additionally, Adobe Scan offers options to scan various items such as business cards, books, ID cards, and whiteboards. For this example, the Carisinyal team will demonstrate how to scan a document, so we’ll select the “Document” option.
Next, point the camera at the section of the document you want to scan. Adobe Scan will automatically capture the document page.
3. Edit the scan results
Once the document has been scanned, you'll be directed to the preview page. Similar to Google Drive, this page allows you to edit the scanned document.
Interestingly, the editing tools in Adobe Scan are more comprehensive than those in Google Drive, and there’s even an option to organize document pages using the “Reorder” tool.
If you're not completely satisfied or want to scan additional pages, simply tap the “Keep Scanning” option and repeat the scanning process.
4. Rename documents
When you're finished, you can rename the document by tapping on the section highlighted with an arrow. Modify the name as needed and then tap the “Rename” button.
As a note, on the right side of the document name, you'll find a paper icon that allows you to copy text from the scanned document.
5. Save the documents
Now it’s time to save the document! On the preview page, simply tap the “Save PDF” button. You can share the scanned document as needed.
Once the document is saved, a new page will appear. Here, you can tap the three-dot icon labeled “More.” This will reveal several options to export, merge, compress, or add a password to the document. Please note that these features are part of the premium service.
However, other options, such as opening documents in Adobe Acrobat software or saving them in JPEG format, can be accessed for free.
Among the three methods mentioned, the Carisinyal team prefers using Google Drive and Adobe Scan for scanning. Both offer comprehensive editing features, and the scans maintain a professional appearance rather than looking like photographs. The automatic scanning feature also streamlines the process, making it quicker and more efficient.
So, those are three easy and fast ways to scan documents on your smartphone. Which one do you prefer? Share your thoughts in the comments section!