Scanners

On Windows, go to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners to see or add your scanner. On macOS, open System Preferences > Printers & Scanners. Make sure the scanner is connected and drivers are installed.

You can use built-in tools like the Notes app on iPhone or Google Drive on Android to scan documents. Simply open the app, select Scan, capture the page, adjust, and save as a PDF. Apps like Adobe Scan or Microsoft Lens offer extra features such as text recognition.

Regular cleaning prevents streaks and blurry scans. Here’s how: 1. Turn off and unplug the scanner. 2. Use a soft, lint-free cloth slightly dampened with glass cleaner or distilled water. 3. Wipe the glass panel gently, avoid spraying liquid directly onto the glass. 4. Dry with a clean, dry cloth to prevent streaking. 5. For stubborn marks, use a small amount of isopropyl alcohol on the cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaners or paper towels, as they may scratch the glass.

1. Sheet feeder (ADF): Lets you load multiple pages at once, saving time compared to placing pages individually on a flatbed. 2. Two-sided (duplex) scanning: Captures both sides of a page in one pass, ensuring you don’t miss information and helping reduce file size and paper clutter. Together, these features are especially beneficial for offices handling contracts, invoices, or bulk paperwork.

The ideal format depends on how you’ll use the scanned files: PDF (Portable Document Format): Best for documents that need to be searchable, shareable, and easy to store. 1. JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group): Great for photographs where file size needs to be smaller, though some quality is compressed. 2. TIFF (Tagged Image File Format): Preferred in professional settings where maximum image quality and editing flexibility are required. 3. PNG (Portable Network Graphics): Useful for images with text, line art, or where lossless compression is needed.

While multifunction printers (MFPs) offer basic scanning alongside printing and copying, document scanners are purpose-built for scanning tasks. They typically provide: 1. Faster scanning speeds for large volumes of documents. 2. Advanced features like automatic document feeders (ADF) and duplex scanning. 3. Better image quality and text recognition (OCR) for searchable digital files. 4. Higher durability when used frequently in office environments.

Scanners come in several types, each designed for specific needs: 1. Document scanners: Ideal for high-volume, high-speed digitisation of paperwork. 2. Flatbed scanners: Great for single pages, books, magazines, or fragile items. 3. Photo scanners: Provide superior resolution and colour accuracy for images and artwork. 4. Portable scanners: Compact, lightweight options perfect for travel or limited desk space. 5. A3 document scanners: Specially designed to handle larger pages such as blueprints, charts, or oversized office documents, offering the same speed and quality as standard scanners but with larger format capacity.

A flatbed scanner is the most versatile type, ideal for home and office use. It has a flat glass surface and is perfect for scanning single pages, books, magazines, or delicate items. A document scanner, on the other hand, is built for speed and volume. It features an automatic document feeder (ADF) to scan multiple pages in a single batch, making it the best choice for digitising large amounts of paperwork.

When purchasing a portable scanner, consider its power source, connectivity, and whether it has an automatic document feeder. Many portable scanners are battery-powered, which is great for on-the-go use. Wireless connectivity is also a key feature, allowing you to send files directly to your devices without needing a cable. An ADF will save you time by feeding pages automatically, a useful feature even in a compact device