Scan documents using the Dropbox mobile app

You can use the document scanning feature in the Dropbox mobile app to scan files directly to your Dropbox account or convert existing files to scans.

Not using Dropbox yet? Learn all about the doc scanner.

How to convert an image in your Dropbox account to a scan

To convert an image in your Dropbox account to a scan:

1. Open the Dropbox app on your mobile device.
2. Tap "..." (ellipsis) next to the name of the file you’d like to convert to a scan.
3. Tap Save as Scan.
4. If desired, make edits or scan additional pages.
5. Tap Next.
6. If desired, make adjustments to the save settings.
7. Tap Save.

How to edit, arrange, add, and delete pages in a scan

After your scan is created, you’ll have the option to make adjustments to the scan from the Edit screen. Within Edit view, you can make the following adjustments:

• To add additional pages to your scan, tap Add page. 
  • Note: Multi-page scans can only be saved as .pdf files.
• To edit your scan or add a filter, tap the icon with the three sliders at the bottom of the screen.
  • You can crop, rotate, and add either a black & white or whiteboard filter to your scan.
• To reorder the pages of your scan, tap Arrange (beside Edit) and long press a page to drag and reorder it.
• To delete pages of your scan, tap the page you want to remove, tap Delete, and then Delete again. 

Tips for a better scan

If you choose to take a picture, point your camera at the object you want to scan. A border outlines the shape you’re scanning. Make sure:

• Your document is not crumpled
• There is no glare on what you’re photographing
• You hold your device directly above what you’re photographing
• To include only what you want to scan

For Dropbox Plus, Family, Professional, Standard, Advanced, and Enterprise customers

Dropbox Plus, Family, Professional, Standard, Advanced, and Enterprise customers can search the contents of scanned documents in their Dropbox account (see supported file types below). Dropbox Standard, Advanced, and Enterprise customers who linked their work and personal accounts also have access to full-text search for their personal account.

The following content types are supported:

• Documents written in English
• Typed documents

The following content types are not supported:

• Scans created by a third-party document scanner
• Documents written in a language other than English
• Handwritten documents
• File types other than .pdf
• Documents with overly stylized text