To get one PDF instead of a separate file for every page, choose the right scan settings before the first scan. Most scanner apps can do it, but the multi-page option is easy to miss.
Does this affect you?
Use this if you have several pages to scan into one document from an all-in-one printer or scanner, with or without an automatic document feeder.
Scan multiple pages on Windows
Manufacturer apps usually give better PDF controls than the simplest built-in scan tools.
- Open HP Smart, Epson Scan, Canon IJ Scan Utility, Brother iPrint&Scan, or your printer brand app.
- Set the output type to PDF before scanning.
- Turn on Scan multiple pages, Add page, or a similar option.
- Load the whole stack in the ADF, or place the first page on the flatbed.
- Scan, add each next page when prompted, then choose Finish or Save to create one PDF.
Scan multiple pages on Mac using Preview
Preview can scan directly into one combined document.
- Place the first page on the scanner or load the ADF.
- Open Preview and choose File > Import from your scanner.
- Click Show Details if the full options are hidden.
- Enable Combine into single document.
- Scan each page, then use Export as PDF to save the finished file.
Combine pages already scanned separately
Use this if the pages were already saved as separate files.
- On Mac, open the first file in Preview and show the thumbnail sidebar.
- Drag the other scanned files into the sidebar in the correct order.
- Export the combined result as a PDF.
- On Windows, use your scanner app or a PDF tool with a combine or merge function.
More control
Set PDF before scanning
A common mistake is scanning an entire stack as separate JPEG images. Choose PDF and multi-page mode before pressing Scan.
Use the feeder for stacks
If your printer has an ADF, load the full document there. It is faster and keeps pages in order.
Keep flatbed pages organized
When scanning one page at a time, keep the paper stack in a single pile and move pages consistently so you do not lose the order.
OCR is worth enabling
Optical character recognition makes receipts, forms, and letters searchable inside the PDF.
Sources
- Microsoft Support – Scan a Document or Picture in Windows (2025)
- Apple Support – Import Images and PDFs Using Preview on Mac (2025)
- HP Support – Scan Multiple Pages to a Single PDF File (2025)