This wikiHow teaches you how to scan a document to a Mac using a connected scanner or multifunction printer. After connecting the scanner or printer to your computer and installing the necessary programs, you can scan the document and use the Mac's built-in application Preview to save the scan results to your hard drive.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Connecting the Scanner to the Computer
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Step 1. Connect a scanner or multifunction printer
Usually, you can connect your device to your computer using a USB cable that plugs into the scanner (or printer) port on the back or side of your Mac computer.
- Alternatively, you can use a printer or scanner with a wireless feature that is connected via a local WiFi connection.
- If you want to connect the device wirelessly, skip the setup procedure on the device. Make sure the device and computer are connected to the same and strong wireless network.
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Step 2. Open Apple menu
Click the Apple logo in the upper-left corner of the screen. After that, a drop-down menu will be displayed.
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Step 3. Click on System Preferences…
This option is in the drop-down menu. The “System Preferences” window will appear after that.
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Step 4. Click View
This menu option is at the top of the screen. Once clicked, a drop-down menu will appear.
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Step 5. Click Print & Scan
This option is in the drop-down menu. A pop-up window will be displayed.
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Step 6. Click
It's in the lower-left corner of the window. Once clicked, a menu with printers and scanners currently connected to the computer will be displayed.
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Step 7. Select the scanner engine
Click the machine name shown in the menu.
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Step 8. Follow the prompts shown on the screen
You may be asked to confirm the installation of the scanner. If yes, click on the commands displayed on the screen.
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Step 9. Update the scanner software if necessary
Once the scanner is installed on your computer, you can check if the software has the latest version:
-
macOS Mojave and later - Click menu Apple
Macapple1 click " Software Update, and select " Update All ” if requested.
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macOS High Sierra and earlier - Click menu Apple
Macapple1 click " App Store, select tabs " Updates, and click " UPDATE ALL " if available.
Part 2 of 2: Scanning Documents
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Step 1. Place the document in the scanner
The paper should face down when placed on the scanner cross-section.
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Step 2. Open Spotlight
Click the Spotlight icon that looks like a magnifying glass in the upper-right corner of the screen.
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Step 3. Open Preview
Type preview into the Spotlight search field, then double-click the “ Preview ” in the search results. The Preview window will then be opened.
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Step 4. Click File
It's in the top-left corner of the screen.
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Step 5. Select Import from Scanner
This option is in the drop-down menu. A pop-out menu will appear after that.
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Step 6. Click Include Networked Devices
It's in the pop-out menu.
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Step 7. Select the scanner engine
After instructing Preview to search for a connected scanner, you can perform the following steps:
- Click the menu " File ”.
- Choose " Import from Scanner ”.
- Click the scanner machine name.
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Step 8. Click File, then click Export as PDF….
After that, the “Save As” window will be displayed.
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Step 9. Enter a file name
In the " Name " text field, type the name you want to use for the scanned PDF file.
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Step 10. Choose a save location
Click the " Where " box, then click the folder you want to set the PDF file to from the drop - down menu.
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Step 11. Click Save
It's at the bottom of the window. After that, the scanned document will be saved as a PDF file in the save location you specified.