How to Scan a Document to Your Chromebook

Today’s digital age has drastically reduced the need for physical documents of all kinds. However, that doesn’t mean paper documents have been completely phased out just yet.

If you have an important document, no matter what it is, it’s always a good idea to create a digital version. That creates a backup and enables you to send it through things like email should you need it.

If you own a Chromebook and need to turn a physical document into a digital one, you’re going to need to know how to scan it properly

We’ll dive into that process here so you can fully understand how to do it quickly and effectively.

What You’ll Need

In order to successfully scan a document to your Chromebook, you’ll need a few things before getting started. You don’t need much, but without these items, you won’t be able to get a document scanned.

First, you’ll obviously need your Chromebook.

Next, because you’re reading a how-to guide, go ahead and plug it in before continuing just so you know you have enough battery to complete the task.

You’re also going to need a device that can actually scan a document to your Chromebook.

Most modern printers have the ability to also scan documents, but there are still stand-alone scanners out there that can also get the job done. Once you have a scanner or a printer with the ability to scan, you’ll be able to get a document scanned onto your Chromebook.

Other than those two critical pieces of equipment, you’ll also need a way to connect them together.

This is commonly done over a WiFi connection if the printer and/or scanner being used are enabled for such tasks, but it can also occur through a hard-line connection in the form of a USB cable.

Steps to Scanning a Document to Your Chromebook

As we mentioned above, you can perform a wireless scan if your printer and scanner have that feature or you can complete the task using a hard line through a cable. We’ll look at how to do each method.

For a wireless scan, follow these steps:

1. Turn on your Chromebook and printer/scanner.
2. Connect both devices to the same wireless network.
3. Next, you will need to locate the IP address from your printer/scanner. This can usually be found in the settings of your printer under the Network or Wireless settings for the device. If you can’t find the IP address, contact customer support for your printer.
4. Once you’ve located your printer’s IP address, write it down or keep it visible and then type the address into the URL bar on your Chromebook. This is the main browsing bar where website addresses would normally be entered.
5. Click the Enter key on your Chromebook.
6. This will bring up a screen with the options for your particular printer/
7. Click the Scan tab (if there is one) and select Start Scan.
8. You will see some options for file types. Choose your preference.
9. Save your file and your scan is complete.

For a wired scan, follow these steps:

1. Connect your Chromebook and printer/scanner via a compatible cable.
2. Type your printer’s IP address into the URL on your Chromebook.
3. That will display the Scan window for your printer.
4. Select the Scan window (if there is one) and click Scan.
5. You will see some options for file types. Choose your preference.
6. Save your file and your scan is complete.

Other Things to Consider

Now that you know how to scan a document to your Chromebook, there are a few other small aspects to consider during the process.

First, always make sure that the document you want to scan is positioned correctly on the scanner. If the document is folded or creased in any way, try to flatten it out as best you can before completing the scan. A fold or crease can cause the document to not sit flat on the scanning surface and make it impossible to read.

Always save your scan once you have it on your Chromebook. If it’s an important document, that’s obvious. However, even for less important items, it’s always a good idea to save everything. That way, you’ll have a backup copy if you need to send the document again.

If you don’t have your own printer or scanner, you can go to a copy and print shop to get the task done. Just bring your Chromebook into the shop and follow the steps mentioned above.

You may need to ask for the printer’s IP address if you can’t locate it, but the employees should be able to help you out.

If you have to go into the print shop to complete the scan, always make sure you remember to remove your document from the scanner when you’re finished.

I’ve accidentally left a document at the printer and left the shop without it. Luckily, it wasn’t an extremely important one, but it still could have been a big deal.

Final Thoughts

Your Chromebook is a useful and dependable piece of technology, but it’s not always capable of doing everything on its own. When you want to scan a document, you’ll need a printer or scanner to help.

Even so, the process of scanning a document to your Chromebook, once you have the necessary equipment, is fast and easy. Just follow what we’ve listed above and you’ll be good to go.