My Twitter PLN is such a gold mine! Here’s just one example. A longtime colleague and my friend, Debbie Boyer, posted the following tweet:
“Need a scanner while in school or @ home? The iCloud Notes app on an iPhone will let you scan multiple pages into one PDF file.”
I knew there were several apps to do this: OfficeLens, Genius, Kami or PDF Candy. But wow — I did not know the iOS Notes app had this capability. No need to buy an all-in-one home printer. Cha-ching! Money saved, and my iPhone pushes another machine off my home desk.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Scan
- Find your Notes app.
- Start a new note.
- Find the camera icon and tap.
- Choose Scan Documents.
- Take picture(s) of paper documents.
- If you have text, you will have an option to drag near corners to adjust.
- Either keep scanning documents or Save.
- Tap the send icon.
- Select your option for delivery (email or text the PDF).
Step-by-Step Visuals
All screenshots by author.
If your students have an iPhone, this would be a great tip to share with them (and maybe they can share it with their parents!). They can turn in their papers to you via the Notes app, saving the environment and helping to keep those nasty germs away. Get busy scanning!
One Extra Notes App Feature
You can also sign documents inside the Notes app.
- Tap the document in the note.
- Tap the Share icon, then tap Markup.
- To add your signature, tap +, then tap Signature . To manually sign your document, select a tool to use, then sign with your finger or an Apple Pencil with a compatible iPad.
- Tap Done.