How to Make a PDF From a Scanner

create PDF files on your scanner

Adobe Acrobat has functionality to create PDF documents with a scanner. To use Adobe tools to capture documents on the scanner, make sure that your scanner is properly connected and installed on your computer and that your system recognizes the new hardware. Resolution and PDF quality depend on the scanner model and design, but Acrobat gives users the ability to determine file size, scan resolution and create color within their hardware specifications.

Things You'll Need

• Adobe Acrobat 5 or higher
• Scanner
• Document to scan

Instructions

1. Place the item you wish to scan on the scanner bed or in the document feeder (models will vary).

2. Open Adobe Acrobat

3. Select "File" and then "Create PDF". Select "From Scanner" in the drop-down menu. A pop-up window will appear.

4. Select your scanner model in the pop-up window field. You may see a check box to "Recognize text using OCR." Select this box if you are scanning a text-based document and have OCR software on your computer.

5. Click "Image Settings" at the bottom of the pop-up screen. A new pop-up will open. In this window you can increase or decrease resolution and determine if you would like your document to be in color or black-and-white only, depending on your scanner's specifications. Adobe works with your scanner's interface, so the options will vary depending on your scanner's specifications. When finished, click "OK" to close the image settings pop-up.

6. Click "Scan" to scan the document on your scanner. The PDF will be created in the Adobe Acrobat main document window.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to save the file after your scan is complete and the PDF has been created.

• The higher the resolution, the larger the file size. Check your scanner presets to be sure that the default scanner setting is not too high or too low.

References

• Adobe: Create PDF Documents from a Scanner or clipboard