How to Edit a Scanned Document

It's often helpful to scan documents, but they can also be hard to work with because they are made up of pictures. But anyone can learn how to edit a scanned PDF document if they get some help.

We'll give you step-by-step instructions, best practices, and helpful tips to make sure you can correctly change and convert your files.

What is a Scanned Document?

A scanned document is a digital replica of a physical paper, which is usually a paper that has been placed in a scanner to create an electronic version. It is commonly stored as a PDF document, JPG image, or TIFF file. Learn more information about formats below in this article.

Such content has many uses, such as keeping digital copies of important papers and making it easier to share them with others.

It also lets you perform any changes, like fixing typos or adjusting the layout. This method allows for storing documents, so they are accurate, efficient, and safe.

Types of Scanned Documents

As we rely more and more on e-files, it's important to understand the differences between their types. Once you scan a paper, the result can be stored in a variety of formats.

These are determined by the type of content. Common options include PDF, JPG, and TIFF. Each has its own benefits:

• PDF format is popular for security features and compatibility with many devices.
• JPG is great for sharing photographs and other images.
• While TIFF is great for preserving quality with a large size.

Knowing the contrast between each format can help you choose the best options for editing PDF files.

How to edit a scanned document online

Editing scanned PDFs is not always an easy task. To help yourself out, try an online tool that simplifies the process: PDF Candy!

How to edit a PDF scan with PDF Candy

1. Open the online PDF editor in your browser.
2. Upload the desired file with the relevant button or from cloud storage such as Google Drive or Dropbox.
3. Use the "whiteout" tool to cover any area and add new content with the "Text" and "Add image" instruments.
4. Click the "Export" button when you are done.
5. Save the result or upload it back to the cloud.

And voila! You have just modified your scanned PDF document! No complicated software or editing skills are needed.

How to edit a scanned image

Editing pictures can be tricky, but a PDF converter offers a convenient way to do it.

How to edit a scanned document online:

1. Upload your image to the online PDF converter.
2. The service allows you to select the page size, orientation, and margins. We recommend using the A4 and No margins settings.
3. Click "Convert file(s)" to initiate the process.
4. Hit "Edit" to open the converted picture in the online PDF editor.

After changing the scanned image into the desired format, you can follow the steps above to edit PDF according to your needs. Be sure to try it out!

Advantages of online PDF editor

PDF Candy offers a comprehensive and convenient solution. It is a web-based service that is compatible with multiple platforms and has a number of advantages:

1. Convenient and Easy To Use: Offers a simple and intuitive interface that allows you to quickly edit scanned documents.
2. Compatible across Multiple Platforms: Can be accessed on both Mac and Windows 11/10 operating systems, as well as online from any device with an Internet connection.
3. Online Privacy Protection: All uploaded data is secure and is deleted soon after being processed to ensure that personal data remains private.
4. Variety of Options: Boasts a wide selection of features to meet most editing needs, such as adding or removing pages, compressing PDF files, converting to other formats, and more.
5. Free Service: For personal tasks, you do not need to pay any fees or membership charges to access the basic version of PDF Candy’s capabilities.

Why can't I edit a scanned PDF?

It can be discouraging when you have a paper that needs amending, but it's already been scanned. You can't just type in changes like you would with any other. So why can't you edit scan documents?

The reason is that when you scan something, it's converted into an image. This means that any text within the pages is no longer accessible, but rather as part of the picture. You can't select and change it like normal text.

However, all hope is not lost! You can utilize OCR to convert it into an editable PDF. This service recognizes text and turns it into a digital file that is searchable.

Once the conversion is complete, you can open the new version in a PDF editor to modify it. You can add, remove text, or adjust formatting as needed.

How to edit a scan document in Adobe Acrobat?

Modifying a scanned PDF could be tricky, especially if you don't have the right tools. Adobe Acrobat is a powerful software that enables you to change such papers.

Here's the procedure:

1. Open the scanned PDF in Acrobat.
2. Then, click the "Tools" tab. Select "Edit PDF". The OCR tool will automatically convert a PDF to an editable file.
3. Work on the document. After all modifications are made, press "File" > "Save as".

Pros:

• OCR technology allows you to quickly scan and edit text on PDF without retyping it.
• Retain the original formatting and design elements.
• Can add images, text boxes, annotations, and other options.

Cons:

• Scanned document editor requires an active subscription to access all instruments.
• Can be difficult for first-time users.
• More expensive than other PDF editors.

Edit Scanned PDF in Word

PDF editing in Microsoft Word is pretty straightforward. The process involves converting the PDF into a manipulable format and then transforming it with the different features provided by Word.

Follow these steps:

1. Run Microsoft Word, and click "File" > "Open".
2. Find the PDF on your computer and press "Open".
3. You will see a message telling you that the program is going to convert to an edit-ready Word. Tap "OK".
4. When you are done with your changes, save the result in "File" > "Save".

Pros:

• Editing scanned documents is possible without any additional software or tools required.

Cons:

• The OCR process may not always be accurate, which could cause errors in the updated version.
• Revising may be time-consuming due to its size and complexity.

How to Modify Scanned PDF in Google Docs

This can seem like a challenging task. Fortunately, Google Docs makes it easy to edit a PDF scan with its built-in OCR technology.

Here is the procedure to follow:

1. Open the Google Drive app on your device and upload the content.
2. Select the file and click "Open with" then tap "Google Docs".
3. The document will open in a new window with all of the text converted into an editable format.
4. You can now make changes: edit text on PDF, adjust formatting, add highlighting or links, etc.
5. Upon completion, it will be immediately synced to your Google Drive account, thereby granting you access to it from any device.

Pros:

• Syncs with your cloud storage for access from any gadget.
• Collaboration features allow you to share with others and edit your scanned PDFs together.

Cons:

• Not all file types are supported.
• May not possess the capability to recognize handwriting or other complex formatting elements.
• Can be slow if there is a lot of data in the document.

Edit a Scan Document in ABBYY FineReader

It can be hard to rework a scanned paper. Fortunately, FineReader is an effective PDF editor that simplifies it.

Here's how to get started:

1. Download the ABBYY software.
2. Press "Scan" > "Scan to OCR Editor". Upload the file you wish to edit. The app will scan it and render it editable.
3. Once the file is opened, you can edit the PDF: add images, and layout as desired with the tools provided in the program.
4. Once you have completed editing, save in your preferred format.

Pros:

• It can be used for changing text, images, tables, and other elements.
• Supports popular formats like JPEG, PNG, TIFF, and more.
• Performs accurate OCR to ensure that the changes are applied correctly.

Cons:

• This scanned document editor does not have a lot of features when compared to competitors.
• Technical support is limited and may take some time to respond.

Reasons to Edit PDF Scan

Modifying a scanned document can be an invaluable asset to any consumer or business.

Here are some of the perks:

1. Save Time. Editing lets you make changes quickly without needing to retype the entire content, saving both time and effort for minor adjustments.
2. Accuracy. Manipulating allows you to verify and correct information, ensuring that the content is accurate before printing or sending it.
3. Ease of Use. PDF editors come with built-in tools, enabling straightforward modifications without the need for additional software.
4. Portability. Scanned PDF documents are stored in a digital format, making them shareable and portable.
5. Organization. Digital storage simplifies organization and retrieval, so it is quicker to locate and manage when needed.

How to edit a scan document: tips

1. Scan your paper at the highest resolution possible, so that you can edit it accurately.
2. Crop out any unnecessary background noise from the image to focus on the main content.
3. Change the contrast, if needed, to make the text easier to read and edit.
4. Use the selection tool to pick individual words or phrases for manipulation.
5. Employ an Optical Character Recognition program to convert scanned images into searchable and editable text.
6. Utilize PDF editing tools to annotate scanned PDF documents and highlight important areas for further review.
7. Try Optical Layout Analysis (OLA) technology to extract images from text ones.
8. Save your edited scan as a PDF document for sharing and distribution with other users.

Conclusion

Editing a scanned document requires the same attention you would give to any other file. Make sure that you check all the details, such as spelling and grammar mistakes, punctuation errors, and incorrect tense or verb choices.

Finalizing the changes may be time-consuming, but it will be well worth the effort in achieving an accurate, professional result. Ensure that text is chosen carefully and that legal references are checked for accuracy.

With attention paid to all these points, you should be able to produce good-quality results when editing scanned documents.

Try other tools

• Delete extra PDF pages with easy and effective online service.
• Protect PDF with a reliable password.
• Compress the resulting PDF file for sharing via email.