Introduction: Scan Multiple Pages into One PDF with Ease
Need to scan multiple pages and save them as a single PDF file? Whether you’re digitizing documents, receipts, contracts, or handwritten notes, merging multiple pages into one organized PDF is a simple yet essential skill.
Gone are the days of dealing with scattered files or struggling to attach multiple images in emails. Instead, you can create a clean, professional-looking PDF that’s easy to store, share, and print—all in just a few steps!
In this guide, you’ll learn:
✔ The best free tools to scan and merge pages into a single PDF
✔ Step-by-step instructions for Windows, Mac, mobile apps, and online tools
✔ How to combine multiple scanned pages into one document effortlessly
✔ Common scanning mistakes (like blurry pages or oversized files) and how to avoid them
Whether you’re using a scanner, smartphone, or built-in software, we’ll walk you through the easiest methods to get the job done quickly.
By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to scan and merge multiple pages into a single PDF like a pro—saving time, improving organization, and ensuring your documents always look polished.
Best Tools for Scanning Multiple Pages Into One PDF
Scanning multiple pages and combining them into a single PDF is easier than ever, thanks to a variety of free and paid tools available for Windows, Mac, mobile devices, and online platforms. Whether you’re using a computer, smartphone, or web-based service, there’s a perfect solution for your needs.
Windows & Mac
If you’re working on a desktop or laptop, these built-in and third-party applications can help you scan and merge PDFs efficiently:
✔ Windows Fax and Scan (Free, Windows) – A built-in tool in Windows that allows users to scan documents, but it doesn’t merge files directly. You’ll need to use Microsoft Print to PDF or another tool to combine multiple scanned pages.
✔ Adobe Acrobat (Pro & Free version) (Windows & Mac) – One of the most powerful PDF tools available. While the free version allows you to open and view PDFs, the Pro version enables advanced features like scanning, merging, and editing.
✔ Preview (Mac users) (Free, Mac) – A pre-installed app on macOS that allows scanning and merging PDFs without additional software. It’s a simple and effective option for Mac users.
Mobile (iOS & Android)
Need to scan documents on the go? These mobile apps make it easy to capture and merge multiple pages into a single PDF:
✔ Microsoft Lens (Free, iOS & Android) – A fast and easy-to-use scanning app that automatically enhances scanned documents and saves them as PDFs or images.
✔ Adobe Scan (Free, iOS & Android) – Offers automatic text recognition (OCR), making scanned PDFs searchable and editable—a great feature for professionals.
✔ CamScanner (Free & Paid, iOS & Android) – A versatile mobile scanner with advanced document organization features, but some features require a paid subscription.
Best Online Tools for Merging PDFs
If you don’t want to install software, online tools allow you to upload and merge scanned pages into a PDF:
✔ Pdf4sure– A simple drag-and-drop tool to merge scanned pages into one PDF.
✔ iLovePDF – Offers PDF merging, compression, and editing all in one place.
✔ PDF Merge – A straightforward tool for combining multiple scanned pages into a single file.
Which Tool Should You Use?
For simple, free scanning: Windows Fax and Scan (Windows) or Preview (Mac).
For professional features: Adobe Acrobat (Pro) or Adobe Scan (Mobile).
For mobile users: Microsoft Lens or CamScanner.
For quick online merging: Pdf4sureor iLovePDF.
Now, let’s dive into the step-by-step process of scanning and merging multiple pages into one PDF!
Scan Multiple Pages Into One PDF on Windows
Scanning multiple pages and saving them as a single PDF on Windows is easy with built-in tools like Windows Fax and Scan or Microsoft Print to PDF. If you need higher quality scans and advanced features, Adobe Acrobat is an excellent option. Below, we’ll explore two different methods to scan and merge multiple pages into a single PDF.
Method 1: Using Windows Fax and Scan (Built-in Free Tool)
Windows Fax and Scan is a free, pre-installed application that allows you to scan multiple pages, but it does not save directly as a PDF. Instead, you’ll need to use Microsoft Print to PDF to merge and save your pages into a single PDF file.
Step-by-Step Guide:
1️⃣ Open Windows Fax and Scan
- Press Windows + S, type Windows Fax and Scan, and click to open the app.
2️⃣ Click ‘New Scan’
- In the top left, click New Scan to begin the scanning process.
- If you have multiple scanners connected, select the correct one.
3️⃣ Select Scan Settings
- Choose Document as the scan type (instead of Photos).
- If available, set the file format to PDF (some scanners support this natively).
- Adjust the resolution (DPI), color settings, and paper size if necessary.
4️⃣ Place the First Page in the Scanner & Scan
- If using a flatbed scanner, place the first page on the scanning surface.
- If using a document feeder, insert all pages at once (if your scanner supports it).
Click Scan to begin scanning the first page.
5️⃣ Repeat for Additional Pages
- If using a flatbed scanner, replace the page with the next one and click Scan again.
- Repeat until all pages are scanned.
6️⃣ Save as a Multi-Page PDF using Microsoft Print to PDF
- Once all pages are scanned, click File > Print in Windows Fax and Scan.
- Select Microsoft Print to PDF as the printer.
- Click Print, then choose a file name and save location.
- Your multi-page scan is now saved as a single PDF file.
Method 2: Using Adobe Acrobat (Pro & Free Versions)
If you have Adobe Acrobat (either Pro or the free version), you can scan multiple pages directly into a high-quality PDF. The Pro version allows additional features like OCR (Optical Character Recognition), making your scanned text searchable and editable.
Step-by-Step Guide:
1️⃣ Open Adobe Acrobat
- Launch Adobe Acrobat and go to File > Create > PDF from Scanner.
2️⃣ Choose Scanner Settings & Start Scanning
- Select your scanner from the list.
- Adjust resolution (DPI), color settings, and document type as needed.
Click Scan to start the process.
3️⃣ Scan Additional Pages
- After scanning the first page, click Scan More Pages to continue scanning additional pages.
4️⃣ Save as a PDF
- Once all pages are scanned, click Save As and choose a file name and save location.
- Your multi-page document is now saved as a single PDF file.
3. Scan Multiple Pages Into One PDF on Mac
Mac users can scan and merge multiple pages using Preview, the built-in PDF viewer and editor on macOS. Unlike Windows Fax and Scan, Preview lets you save scanned documents directly as PDFs without extra steps.
Method: Using Preview (Built-in Mac Tool)
Preview is pre-installed on all Macs and allows users to scan, merge, and save PDFs without additional software.
Step-by-Step Guide:
1️⃣ Connect Your Scanner to Your Mac
- Ensure your scanner is connected via USB or Wi-Fi and turned on.
2️⃣ Open Preview & Select ‘Import from Scanner’
- Open Preview from the Applications folder or via Spotlight Search (Cmd + Space, then type “Preview”).
- Click File > Import from Scanner.
- Select your scanner from the list.
3️⃣ Adjust Scan Settings
- Choose color, resolution (DPI), and paper size based on your needs.
- Make sure to select PDF as the file format.
4️⃣ Click ‘Scan’ & Repeat for Additional Pages
- Place the first page in the scanner and click Scan.
- For flatbed scanners, repeat the process for each additional page.
- If using a document feeder, all pages will scan automatically.
5️⃣ Save as a Multi-Page PDF
- Once all pages are scanned, click File > Save As and select PDF as the format.
- Choose a file name and save location.
- Your multi-page scan is now a single PDF file.
Merging Multiple PDFs (If Scanned Separately)
If you scanned your pages separately into multiple PDFs, you can merge them into one file using Preview.
Step-by-Step Guide:
1️⃣ Open All Scanned PDFs in Preview
- Select all PDF files, right-click, and choose Open With > Preview.
2️⃣ Arrange the Page Order
- In the thumbnail view, drag pages to rearrange them into the correct order.
3️⃣ Save as a Single PDF
- Click File > Export as PDF, name your file, and click Save.
Both Windows and Mac offer built-in tools to scan multiple pages into a single PDF. Windows Fax and Scan works well but requires using Microsoft Print to PDF to save the final file. Mac users have it easier with Preview, which directly saves scanned pages as PDFs.
For advanced features like OCR and cloud storage, Adobe Acrobat Pro or mobile apps like Adobe Scan and Microsoft Lens are great alternatives.
Scan Multiple Pages Into One PDF on Mobile (iOS & Android)
No scanner? No problem! Your smartphone camera can scan documents and save them as a single PDF file using free apps like Microsoft Lens and Adobe Scan. These apps make scanning fast, easy, and professional, whether you’re digitizing notes, contracts, or receipts.
Below, we’ll explore two of the best mobile apps for scanning multiple pages into one PDF.
Method 1: Using Microsoft Lens (Free & Easy)
Microsoft Lens is a free and lightweight app available on iOS and Android. It offers automatic edge detection and allows you to scan multiple pages into one PDF with just a few taps.
Step-by-Step Guide:
1️⃣ Download & Install Microsoft Lens
- Download Microsoft Lens from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
- Open the app and grant camera permissions.
2️⃣ Select ‘Document’ Mode
- When the app opens, select Document Mode to ensure the best scan quality.
3️⃣ Capture the First Page
- Position your document within the camera frame.
- The app will automatically detect the edges and adjust for perspective.
- Tap the capture button to take a scan.
4️⃣ Tap ‘Add More’ to Scan Multiple Pages
- After capturing the first page, tap Add More to scan additional pages.
- Repeat the process for all pages you want to include.
5️⃣ Save as a PDF
- Once done, tap Confirm and select Save as PDF.
- Choose a file name and save location (OneDrive, phone storage, or share via email).
✅ Best For: Quick and simple multi-page scanning without extra features.
Method 2: Using Adobe Scan (Best for OCR & Text Recognition)
If you need text recognition (OCR), Adobe Scan is the best free option. OCR converts scanned text into editable and searchable content, making it great for documents with typed text.
Step-by-Step Guide:
1️⃣ Download & Install Adobe Scan
- Get Adobe Scan from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
- Sign in with an Adobe account (or create a free one).
2️⃣ Scan the First Page
- Open the app and align the document within the frame.
- The app will automatically detect the edges and scan.
3️⃣ Tap ‘Continue’ to Scan More Pages
- After scanning the first page, tap Continue to scan additional pages.
- The app will auto-enhance and adjust each scan for clarity.
4️⃣ Save as a PDF
- Once all pages are scanned, tap Save as PDF.
The PDF is automatically stored in Adobe Document Cloud, but you can also download it to your phone.
✅ Best For: Documents that need OCR text recognition (like contracts, invoices, and receipts).
Need to Combine PDFs Manually?
If you scanned pages separately and need to merge them into a single PDF, you can use an online tool like:
✔ Pdf4sure(smallpdf.com)
✔ iLovePDF (ilovepdf.com)
✔ PDF Merge (pdfmerge.com)
Simply upload your scanned PDFs, rearrange the page order, and download your combined document.
Your smartphone camera can be a powerful scanner, eliminating the need for bulky scanning equipment.
✔ Microsoft Lens is perfect for quick, no-fuss scans.
✔ Adobe Scan is ideal for documents that need OCR and cloud storage.
With these apps, you can scan, save, and share professional-quality PDFs in just a few taps!
Combine Multiple Scanned Pages Into One PDF Online
If you’ve already scanned multiple pages as separate PDF files, you can easily merge them into one organized document using free online tools. These tools are quick, convenient, and don’t require any software installation.
Best Free Online PDF Merging Tools
Here are some trusted and easy-to-use websites for merging PDFs:
1. Pdf4sure– smallpdf.com/merge-pdf
✔ Simple drag-and-drop interface
✔ Works on all browsers (Windows, Mac, mobile)
✔ Secure file handling (deleted after an hour)
2. iLovePDF – ilovepdf.com/merge_pdf
✔ Fast and reliable PDF merging
✔ Allows you to reorder pages before merging
✔ Option to save directly to Google Drive or Dropbox
3. PDF Merge – pdfmerge.com
✔ Free and easy to use
✔ Supports large PDF files
✔ No signup required
How to Merge PDFs Online
Follow these simple steps to combine multiple scanned PDFs into one file:
Step 1: Open an Online PDF Merger
Visit Smallpdf, iLovePDF, or PDF Merge in your browser.
Step 2: Upload Your Scanned PDFs
Click Upload Files and select all the PDF files you want to merge.
You can also drag and drop files directly onto the webpage.
Step 3: Arrange Pages in the Correct Order
After uploading, rearrange the PDFs by dragging them into the correct sequence.
Step 4: Merge & Download Your Final PDF
Click the Merge button.
Once merging is complete, download your new PDF to your device.
Pros & Cons of Online PDF Merging
✅ Pros:
✔ Free and simple – No software installation required.
✔ Works on all devices – Windows, Mac, mobile.
✔ Quick and efficient – Merge PDFs in seconds.
❌ Cons:
Requires internet access – Not ideal for offline use.
File security depends on the website – Use trusted services only.
Need an Offline Alternative?
For secure merging without the internet, try:
- Adobe Acrobat (Windows & Mac) – Offers advanced PDF editing and security features.
- Preview (Mac) – Built-in tool for merging PDFs easily.
Common Scanning Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
Even with the best scanning tools, mistakes happen—blurry scans, mixed-up pages, or even saving files in the wrong format. Here are the most common mistakes people make when scanning multiple pages into one PDF and how to fix them.
Mistake 1: Scanning Pages Separately & Forgetting to Merge
✅ Fix: If you’ve scanned pages as separate files, use:
Mac users: Preview to merge PDFs.
Windows users: Adobe Acrobat or Smallpdf.
Online tools: Smallpdf, iLovePDF, or PDF Merge.
🔹 Pro Tip: Scan all pages in one session if possible, to avoid extra merging steps.
Mistake 2: Low-Quality Scans (Blurry or Crooked Pages)
✅ Fix: Adjust scan settings to at least 300 DPI for clear, readable text.
Higher DPI (dots per inch) = better quality, but larger file size.
If scanning by phone, use good lighting and a steady hand.
🔹 Pro Tip: Enable auto-crop and straighten in apps like Adobe Scan for better alignment.
Mistake 3: Incorrect Page Order
✅ Fix: Always preview scanned pages before saving.
Preview (Mac): Drag and arrange pages in the sidebar.
Adobe Acrobat/Smallpdf: Upload and reorder PDFs easily.
🔹 Pro Tip: If scanning manually, keep pages stacked in the correct order before starting.
Mistake 4: Saving in the Wrong Format
✅ Fix: Always choose PDF instead of JPG/PNG for multi-page documents.
Windows users: Use “Microsoft Print to PDF” to save scans properly.
Mac users: Select “Save as PDF” in Preview.
🔹 Pro Tip: JPGs are best for images, but PDFs are better for documents since they keep formatting intact.
Conclusion: Keep Your Scans Organized & Error-Free!
Scanning multiple pages into one organized PDF doesn’t have to be frustrating! With the right tools and techniques, you can easily digitize and manage documents like a pro.
Best Free Methods to Scan & Merge PDFs:
✔ Windows: Use Windows Fax and Scan or Microsoft Print to PDF.
✔ Mac: Use Preview to scan, merge, and save PDFs.
✔ Mobile: Use Microsoft Lens or Adobe Scan for high-quality PDFs.
✔ Online Tools: Use Pdf4sureor iLovePDF to merge scanned pages.
With these methods, you’ll never lose track of important documents again. Try them today and make your workflow smoother and more efficient!