How To Scan Multiple Pages Into One PDF

Scanning documents is a great way to go paperless and make your files more accessible. But what do you do when you have a multi-page document?

Scanning each page individually can be a pain, and you'll end up with a bunch of separate files that are difficult to manage. Luckily, there's a better way—a few of them, actually.

Easy Ways to Scan Multiple Pages Into One PDF

You've got a number solid options for creating multi-page PDFs from your scanned documents:

1. Scan pages into one PDF using your phone: The free PDF scanner for Android or iOS is fast and easy.
2. Use your computer's built-in scanning app: Windows Scan or Mac’s Image Capture can combine pages automatically.
3. Use your scanner's software: Most printer software has multi-page PDF settings built right in.
4. Scan separately and merge online: Scan individual pages, then use Smallpdf’s Merge tool to combine them.

Keep reading to find the best option for you.

How To Scan Multiple Pages to One PDF on Mobile (Android & iPhone)

‘High quality phone cameras and dedicated scanning software have made the traditional scanner obsolete for most people. It’s now so easy to get high quality PDF scans from any platform or device.’

– David Beníček, Product & Engineering Manager @ Smallpdf

One of the easiest ways to scan multiple pages into a single PDF is with the Smallpdf Mobile App, available for both Android and iOS. It’s fast, free, and doesn’t require registration.

Here’s how it works:

1. Download the Smallpdf App for Android.
2. Open the app and select the “Scan document” tool.
3. Align your camera over the document to scan.
4. Add additional scans as needed.
5. Tap the stack of collected scans in the bottom right of the app.
6. Select “Edit” to crop, add filters, and more. Then “Confirm.”
7. Click “Finish” to create a single PDF from your scans.

The Smallpdf Scanner automatically detects documents to make scanning as easy as possible. It’s also easy to add filters and crop pages exactly as you’d like.

The app automatically detects document edges and neatly stacks each new page in the corner for quick access and editing. You can easily reorder pages, crop, or fine-tune your scans before saving.

To share your PDF, open it up and click the share button at the top of the app. All of your favorite apps are there waiting—SMS, WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, Drive, and good ole email.

How to Scan Multiple Pages Into One PDF on Windows 10/11

Windows makes it straightforward to scan multiple pages into a single PDF. You can use either Windows Fax and Scan or the newer Windows Scan app.

Using Windows Fax and Scan

1. Open “Windows Fax and Scan” from your Start menu.
2. Click “New Scan” in the toolbar.
3. Choose your scanner and scan settings.
4. Scan each page one at a time (the app will keep them in a queue).
5. After all pages are scanned, click “Print” and select “Microsoft Print to PDF.”
6. Choose where to save your combined PDF file.

Using Windows Scan app

1. Open the “Windows Scan” app.
2. Select your scanner from the dropdown.
3. Set the file type to PDF.
4. Scan your first page, then continue adding pages when prompted.
5. Save your multi-page PDF when finished.

How to Scan Multiple Pages Into One PDF on Mac (Image Capture)

Mac users have it easy with the built-in Image Capture app. Here's how to use it for multi-page scanning.

1. Open the “Image Capture” application from Applications or Spotlight.
2. Select your scanner from the left sidebar.
3. Choose “PDF” as the format in the scan settings.
4. Look for and select “Combine into single document” if available.
5. Click “Scan” and place your first page on the scanner.
6. After the first page scans, place the next page and scan again.
7. Repeat until all pages are scanned. They'll automatically combine into one PDF.

Scan With Your Scanner Software (ADF or Flatbed) Into a Single PDF

Most scanner manufacturers (HP, Canon, Brother, Epson) include software that can handle multi-page scanning. The exact steps vary by brand, but the process is similar.

If your scanner has an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF)

1. Load all your pages into the document feeder.
2. Open your scanner's software and select your scanner model.
3. Choose “Document Feeder” or “ADF” as the source.
4. Set the output format to “PDF” and look for “Multi-page PDF” or “Combine into single document.”
5. Hit “Scan.” The feeder will process all pages automatically into one PDF.

For flatbed scanners

1. Open your scanner software and choose “Flatbed” as the source.
2. Set output format to PDF and enable multi-page or “Save and continue scanning.”
3. Scan your first page, then follow prompts to scan additional pages.
4. The software will combine all pages when you finish scanning.

Already Scanned Pages? Combine Them Into One PDF Online

If you've already scanned your pages as separate files (JPGs, PNGs, or individual PDFs), no worries. You can easily combine them into a single PDF using Smallpdf's Merge PDF tool.

Here's how:

1. Go to the Merge PDF tool.
2. Upload your scanned files.
3. Arrange the pages in the correct order.
4. Click “Merge PDF.”
5. Download your new, single-page PDF.

Organize Your Scanned PDF Like a Pro

Once you've got your multi-page PDF, you might need to do some housekeeping. Maybe the pages are out of order, or you need to split a long scan into separate documents. Here's how to handle that.

Reorder Pages in Seconds

Got pages in the wrong order? Use Smallpdf's Organize PDF tool to drag and drop pages exactly where you want them. You can see thumbnail previews of each page, making it super easy to get everything in the right sequence.

Split a Long Scan Into Multiple PDFs

Scanned a bunch of different documents together by mistake? No problem. Our Split PDF tool lets you extract specific pages or break your scan into separate files however you need.

Troubleshooting: Can't Get One PDF From Multiple Scans

Running into issues with multi-page scanning? Here are the most common problems and how to fix them:

• Scanner not detecting multi-page option: Update your scanner drivers or try using your computer's built-in scanning app instead.
• Pages saving as separate files: Look for “Multi-page PDF,” “Combine into single document,” or “Save and continue scanning” in your scanner settings.
• Windows Scan limitations: If Windows Scan isn't cooperating, try Windows Fax and Scan or your printer manufacturer's software.
• Mac Image Capture issues: Make sure “Combine into single document” is checked before you start scanning.

Do More With Your Scanned PDFs (Compress, OCR, Edit, Sign)

The Smallpdf Mobile App is more than just a scanner. It's a full-featured PDF productivity suite that lets you:

• Compress PDF: Reduce the size of your PDF files to make them easier to share and
• Convert PDF: Convert your PDFs to other file formats like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or JPG.
• Edit PDF: Add images, text, or shapes to your PDFs.
• eSign PDF: Create and request electronic signatures for your documents.
• Merge PDF: Combine multiple PDFs into a single file. And much more!

Multi-Page Scans: Frequently Asked Questions

Is it free to scan multiple pages into one PDF?

Yes, you can use the Smallpdf Mobile App to scan as many pages as you'd like for free. You can also use our online tools to merge and manage your PDFs for free, with a daily limit.

If you need to process a large number of documents, try a free 7-day trial of Smallpdf Pro for unlimited access to all our tools.

How do I scan two pages into one PDF?

Use any of the methods above. Whether you're scanning just two pages or twenty, the process is the same. Just make sure your scanner software or app is set to multi-page mode before you start.

Can I scan multiple documents into one PDF?

Absolutely. You can scan different documents and combine them into a single PDF using the same multi-page scanning techniques. Just scan each document's pages in sequence, or scan them separately and merge them online with Smallpdf.

How do I scan multiple files into one PDF?

If you have different file types (photos, documents, existing PDFs), upload them all to Smallpdf's Merge PDF tool. It'll convert and combine everything into one neat PDF file for you.

How do I scan multiple pages into one PDF with an Epson or HP scanner?

Many popular scanner brands allow you to scan multiple pages before saving them into a single file. Check your specific scanner instructions to see if and how you can do this. If that doesn’t work, scroll up in this article where we show you how to do this with native software built into most Windows and Mac machines.