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
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.
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.
Step 3. Click on System Preferences…
This option is in the drop-down menu. The “System Preferences” window will appear after that.
Step 4. Click View
This menu option is at the top of the screen. Once clicked, a drop-down menu will appear.
Step 5. Click Print & Scan
This option is in the drop-down menu. A pop-up window will be displayed.
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.
Step 7. Select the scanner engine
Click the machine name shown in the menu.
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.
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.
-
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
Step 1. Place the document in the scanner
The paper should face down when placed on the scanner cross-section.
Step 2. Open Spotlight
Click the Spotlight icon that looks like a magnifying glass in the upper-right corner of the screen.
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.
Step 4. Click File
It's in the top-left corner of the screen.
Step 5. Select Import from Scanner
This option is in the drop-down menu. A pop-out menu will appear after that.
Step 6. Click Include Networked Devices
It's in the pop-out menu.
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.
Step 8. Click File, then click Export as PDF….
After that, the “Save As” window will be displayed.
Step 9. Enter a file name
In the " Name " text field, type the name you want to use for the scanned PDF file.
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.
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.
