3 ways to scan documents without a scanner | Mohawk College (2024)

FAQs

How can you scan documents without a scanner? ›

Another way to digitize paper documents is by photographing them with your phone's camera or a digital camera. This method is especially useful when you need to digitize large format documents that don't fit easily in a conventional scanner, or when you are away from your home or office.

If you don't have access to a scanner, photographing your artwork can be a great way to digitize it. You can use either a nice camera or your phone. I want to remove as many barriers as possible for you when digitizing your art, so if you don't have access to a camera, no problem. You can just use your phone!

While scanning is more accurate and provides greater detail, which is helpful if you ever want to edit your photos, taking pictures with your smartphone camera can be a cheaper, faster, and more convenient option. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and what your goals are for digitizing your images.

In the search box on the taskbar, type Windows Scan, and then select Scan from the results. Do one of the following: Place the item you want to scan face down on the scanner's flatbed and close the cover. Place the item you want to scan in the scanner's document feeder.

Option 1: Use the Camera App on Your Phone

If you have a smartphone, you can use your built-in camera app to scan a document. Scans are basically images, so you can simply snap a picture of your document and save it to your phone for later use.

How can I scan paper faster? ›

1. Invest in a Good Scanner. When it comes to scanning and managing large volumes of documents, a flat-bed scanner won't do the job quickly. If all of the documents you need to scan are on standard-size paper, your best bet is to purchase a sheet-fed scanner, also called an automatic document feeder.

There are three types of scanners available: drum scanner, flatbed, and handheld scanners. The publishing industry primarily uses drum scanners to print high-quality images, while flatbed scanners are generally used in schools and offices. On the other hand, libraries and shopping malls make use of handheld scanners.

Add a scanning shortcut to your Home screen

To set up a shortcut to scan documents: Open your Android phone or tablet's widgets. Find the "Drive scan" widget. Touch and hold the widget.

Locate the scanning option on your printer's control panel or touchscreen interface, where you will initiate the scanning process. Depending on your printer model, this option may have varying labels, but it typically includes terms like “Scan,” “Scan to Computer,” or “Scanner.”