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Batch Scanning Into PDF Files Using Omnipage Pro on HP Scanjet

Scanning more than one page using the flatbed scanner is tedious and time-consuming.
The process of scanning multiple pages quickly and easily is called batch scanning.

This tutorial uses OmniPage Pro for scanning. However, it is also possible to batch scan directly into Adobe Acrobat and there is a tutorial available for this.

NOTE: This tutorial is specific to the equipment in the Faculty Instructional Technology Center (FITC).

Preparing to Scan

To batch scan in the FITC lab, the Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) attached to the HP Scanjet must be used.

  1. Remove any documents from the flatbed portion of the scanner.
  2. Neatly stack the papers you wish to scan with the first page on top.
  3. Insert the stack face up into the ADF.
  4. Slide the stack further into the ADF until it will not go anymore.

Batch Scanning the Document

The program we are using to scan is called OmniPage Pro (to scan using Adobe Acrobat instead, read this tutorial). Once the document is scanned into OmniPage Pro, we can save it in different formats.

  1. Open Omnipage Pro by clicking on the "Start" menu, then "Other Applications", then "Scansoft OmniPage 15.0", then "OmniPage Professional 15.0".

  2. Make sure OmniPage Pro is set to "Scan B & W". If it is not, set it as such.
  3. Click the button with the number "1" on it to begin scanning.

OmniPage Pro will scan all the pages that are currently in the ADF. When it is done you will have the document in digital form, ready to convert to any format.

Converting to PDF

To create the PDF we will print from OmniPage Pro to Acrobat Distiller. Acrobat Distiller is a program that acts like a printer but creates PDF documents instead.

  1. In OmniPage Pro, click on "File" then "Print".
  2. Click on "Image".
  3. If you would like the whole document as one PDF, make sure the "All" checkbox is checked.
  4. Select "Adobe PDF" from the drop down menu
  5. Click the "Properties" button to adjust PDF settings.

Adjusting the PDF Settings

The PDF format allows us to pick the quality. The higher the quality, the easier it is to read. Higher quality also means a larger filesize. You must decide how your intended audience (or you) will use this file.

*NOTE: If you save at a higher quality, you can ALWAYS lower the quality later. You CANNOT go from a lower quality PDF to a higher one. It is recommended you save at the highest quality possible.

  1. Click on the "Adobe PDF Settings" tab.

  2. Select the desired quality setting from the drop-down menu:

    3. Upon selecting an appropriate option you will see the description of the specified format - use that description to choose the quality that fits your needs best.

    Advanced users can click on the "Edit" to further refine the quality and filesize.

Finalizing and Saving

  1. Click the "Ok" button after selecting the PDF settings.
  2. Click the "Ok" button on the print dialog.
  3. Enter a filename at the prompt.

Congratulations! You have now batch scanned your multipage document into a PDF.

Additional Resources

Here are some additional resources that might be helpful.


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