You can import files, place them in different configurations, or make various changes with one click, unlike a few years ago. Scanning documents is one such task. Scanning small files, which used to take forever, is fast. Documents, letters, receipts and more can be easily scanned and converted into digital copies for a variety of purposes. So, in this article, I will explain the latest software used to scan and save documents on your Windows PC.
What do you mean by scanning and saving documents?
There are many situations where people need to scan documents or photos to their computers. Two typical reasons: sending urgent documentation to someone across the country and slow postal service or other delivery methods. They may also want to digitally transfer printed images to their phone or other devices. So, that’s where scanning and saving documents comes in.
How to Scan and Save Documents in Windows 11/10
There are many document scanner software options on the market. So, below is the latest list of the best document scanning software for PC to scan and save.
- Windows Scan
- Adobe Acrobat DC
- Readiris
- ABBYY FineReader
- VueScan
Once the scan is complete, change the Save As file type to jpg, bmp, gif, tiff, or png depending on your preference. It is recommended to save images in jpg format and documents in tiff format. Documents saved as files. tiff are smaller and easier to send via email and similar tools.
1] Windows Scan
Microsoft’s Windows Scan tool is relatively lightweight and easy to set up and use. This application meets the basic requirements of every user. It works well with flatbed scanner for image processing. Since it was developed by the people who created the Windows OS, it is fully compatible and provides a seamless experience.
Functions
- Many different output options available
- You can choose a specific location to save data
- You can view and select the exact area of the photo to be scanned
pros
- Seamless integration with Windows OS
- Small file size
- Simple and user friendly interface
Minuses
- Only some features are available
- Only available on Windows
2] Adobe Acrobat DC
Users using Adobe Acrobat DC can view, print, edit, and annotate any PDF format, including media and forms. With integration with Adobe Document Cloud, this feature is available on any computer or mobile device. You can work on one document at a time and collaborate more effectively with your team with the new Adobe Acrobat DC.
Functions
- Allows you to create PDF files from email, spreadsheets, MS Office, HTML pages and smartphone cameras.
- It has increased security as it only gives permission using passwords.
- Offers comparison features that allow users to see differences between different versions of a document.
- Reverse transformations are allowed. For example, from PDF to Word, Excel, PowerPoint
pros
- Includes text indexing for quick search
- A set of common patterns available for uniformity
- Tables allow you to edit both text and data
Minuses
- The application size is large, which sometimes slows down PC performance
- It can use improved OCR validation capabilities.
3] Readiris
Readiris should be at the top of your list if you’re looking for a comprehensive document scanning tool that’s easy to learn. Your physical documents can be quickly scanned and converted to the PDF format of your choice with Readiris.
This tool supports the file types Word, PowerPoint, indexed PDF and Excel, which has a user-friendly and intuitive graphical interface. Just tell the tool which files to scan and the system will take care of the rest. Once the scan is complete, you will immediately be given the option to edit.
Functions
- PNG, TXT, RTF, BMP, TIFF, ODT, ePub, GIF, JPEG, and HTML are all supported formats for scanning documents.
- You can reduce the size of saved documents
- Easily compatible with Windows
pros
- Converting documents to editable PDFs is easy
- Multiple users can share scanned text for signage and reviews.
- Enhanced security with digital signatures
Minuses
- No keyboard shortcuts
- Switching between functions is difficult
- There is no free version, but there is a trial version.
4] ABBYY FineReader
Its powerful features make it easy to scan and edit documents. This app already has a ton of unique features and the compare option allows users to keep track of their modifications.
Functions
- With the Hot Folder feature, documents are scheduled for automatic scanning.
- Accurate scanning and saving in user-selected formats
- You can convert formats such as Excel, Word and more to PDF format.
pros
- Convenient and intuitive graphical interface
- OCR provides a smooth search function
- Automatic classification and indexing of documents
Minuses
- Doesn’t use version control
- No full-text indexing option
5] ViewScan
VueScan, a completely free tool designed for the general public, has surpassed standard software scanning technologies by redesigning over 6,000 scanners to make it easy for users to get ready to scan documents at any time. This has allowed people to continue using their existing scanners when scanning documents, movies, images, and even negatives on Windows, Linux, or iOS.
The tool provides users with a choice of customizable scan options, as well as professional and standard package options, depending on the type of document being scanned.
Functions
- Can scan PDF files in single-page and multi-page formats.
- Automatically recognizes colors
- Great for small documents
pros
- High quality scanned images
- Hardware can remove dust and scratches
- Image quality and color calibration
- One software works with all scanners
Minuses
- Training settings require practice
- Pages are watermarked by the software
Conclusion
The days of sifting through piles of documents and scanning each one individually are over. Scanning documents has advanced significantly thanks to advanced technology. These solutions can work like magic for you and your business, whether you’re scanning high volumes or indexing and routing documents to the appropriate platforms. Document scanning software not only reduces paperwork, but also protects the environment. I hope this article helped!
Can I scan multiple documents?
You can use Android or iPhone with Google Drive to scan multiple documents. Open Google Drive on your Android device, tap the plus symbol to add more scans, select a scan option, tap the checkmark, and tap the plus sign. Save the file after you’re done.
How to print an image as a PDF file on Windows?
Open the jpg file you want to convert and press Ctrl+P to open the Print dialog box. Then click the printer icon to open the drop-down list. Select Microsoft Print to PDF. Click Print. Now you can save the document as a PDF file.