How to Create a PDF File Directly From My Scanner

Soda PDF Desktop - Input Settings

  • Open the Create & Convert module.
  • Click Scan to PDF.

 

 

Soda PDF will detect the drivers of any scanner already configured for your computer. The default scanner will be determined from your Windows settings.

  • Select the scanner you would like to use from the list of available scanners.


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  • Choose the Paper Size from the list in the dropdown.
  • Select Resolution, dpi to set the graphical quality of your scan.


 

  • Choose your Color Mode by selecting the appropriate box, you can pick between full color, greyscale, and black and white.
  • You can decide to scan one or both sides of the page by picking the appropriate option under Sides. Your scanner must support scanning both sides of the page for this to be active.


 

  • When scanning multiple pages check the box next to Prompt for Scanning More Pages.


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You can also choose to use your scanner's native interface to configure the scan settings rather than Soda PDF options. Choosing this will still require you to set the output settings within Soda PDF. The interface will open when you start the scan.

  • Check the box next to Native Interface to enable this feature.


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Soda PDF Desktop – Output Settings

You will need to pick what happens to the file after it has been scanned.

  • PDF will create a PDF for your scan(s).
  • Append to Existing will add the scan(s) to the PDF of your choice.
  • Image will create an image file instead of a PDF.

Each option will have specific settings.

 

New PDF Document

  • Select PDF under Output Settings.


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  • Click on the folder icon next to Folder Path to update where the new file will be saved.


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  • Click on the three dots in the corner to open additional settings.

 

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  • Choose the PDF version from the dropdown list.

 

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  • Click on the box under File Name Prefix to add a prefix.


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  • Check the box next to Use OCR to make any text in your document editable.


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Append to Existing

  • Check the box next to Append to Existing.
  • Click on the three dots in the corner to open additional settings.

 

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  • Click on the folder icon next to the File Path to find the PDF on your computer to which you want to add your scan.


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  • Check the box next to Open after Scanning to review the file once the scan is complete.
  • Check the box next to Use OCR to make any text in your document editable.


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New Image

  • Select Image under Output Settings.
  • Click on the three dots in the corner to open additional settings.

 

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  • Name your file under File Name Prefix.


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  • Click on the File logo next to the File Path to decide where your image will be saved.
  • Check the box next to Open after Scanning to review your file once the scan is complete.


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  • Now that everything is set up, click on Scan to create your new file.


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We have two additional modules. The OCR module allows you to recognize and edit text within any scanned document or image. We also have the E-Sign module that allows you to electronically sign PDFs and track and manage e-signatures in real-time. If those modules are not available for you, you can purchase them here.

 

       

 

Soda PDF Online

Soda PDF Online is housed in your web browser. Since it does not install onto your operating system, it does not access the same drivers allowing you to create from a scanner. You are not able to create directly from your scanner while using Soda PDF Online.

We are actively investigating ways to rectify this. In the meantime, you can do the following.

  • Scan the file into an image using the native interface of the scanner.
  • Convert that image(s) into a PDF, click here for more information.

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