How to use the Scan feature in Notes

Scanning documents can be a useful feature when you need to quickly digitize paper documents and store them digitally. The Notes app on your device comes with a built-in scan feature that allows you to scan documents using your device's camera. In this tutorial, we will walk you through the steps of using the Scan feature in Notes.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, ensure that you have the following:

A device (such as a smartphone or tablet) with the Notes app installed.
Sufficient lighting conditions to get clear scans.
Documents that you want to scan.

Step 1: Open the Notes app

Unlock your device and locate the Notes app on your home screen. The icon for the Notes app resembles a yellow notepad with a white pen on it. Tap on the icon to open the app.

Step 2: Create a new note or open an existing one

Once you have opened the Notes app, you can either create a new note or open an existing one. To create a new note, tap on the "+" icon or the "New Note" button, usually located at the bottom of the screen. If you want to scan a document into an existing note, locate and tap on the note to open it.

Step 3: Access the Scan feature

With the note open, tap on the "+" icon or the "Add Content" button, typically located at the bottom of the note. A menu should appear with various options - select "Scan Documents" from the list. This will launch the scanning interface.

Step 4: Position your document for scanning

Hold your device over the document you want to scan. Ensure that the entire document fits within the camera frame. It's advisable to position the document flat on a surface to minimize shaking and improve scan quality.

Step 5: Capture the scan

Tap the capture button, usually represented by a white circle in the middle of the screen. This will trigger the camera to take a picture of the document. Ensure that the document remains still while the picture is being taken.

Step 6: Adjust scan boundaries (optional)

By default, the Notes app will automatically detect the edges of the document and crop the scan accordingly. However, if the edges aren't aligned correctly, you can manually adjust the boundaries. Drag the corners or edges of the scan to ensure the entire document is captured accurately.

Step 7: Add additional scans (optional)

If you have multiple pages to scan, tap on the "+" icon or the "Add Scan" button, usually located at the bottom center of the scanning interface. Repeat steps 4 to 6 until you have scanned all the required pages.

Step 8: Review and edit scans (optional)

After capturing all the necessary scans, you can review and edit them if needed. Tap on a scan to view it in full screen. From here, you can rotate, crop, or delete the scan using the available editing tools. Make any necessary adjustments to ensure the scan is clear and readable.

Step 9: Save the scanned document

Once you're satisfied with the scans, tap the "Save" button, typically represented by a checkmark icon or a "Done" button. This will save the scanned document within the note.

You can organize your scanned documents by creating folders or by using tags within the Notes app. To share a scanned document, tap on the "Share" button, usually represented by an upward-facing arrow. Select the desired sharing option (such as email, messaging apps, or cloud storage) and follow the prompts to complete the sharing process.

Congratulations! You have successfully learned how to use the Scan feature in Notes to quickly scan and save documents on your device. Just follow these steps whenever you need to digitize your paper documents for easier access and organization.