How to set up a scanner on your Mac computer and use it to scan documents

Facebook Email icon An envelope. It indicates the ability to send an email.

Email Twitter icon A stylized bird with an open mouth, tweeting.

Twitter LinkedIn icon

LinkedIn Link icon An image of a chain link. It symobilizes a website link url.

Copy Link lighning bolt icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt.

This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Log in .

• Before you can scan documents on a Mac, you'll have to set your computer up properly, which means you'll need to make sure you have the latest scanning software on your Mac.
• After that's taken care of, you can start scanning documents onto your Mac with the following steps.
• Be aware that the method you use will depend on the type of scanner you have.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

If you need to scan documents onto your Mac computer, you're in luck: If you have a scanner, or a printer with a scanner, you may not need to install any software to get it up and running with your Mac.

You'll need to set both your computer and scanner up properly, of course, but that's an easy task and won't take more than a few minutes. Then you'll be able to start scanning documents onto your Mac.

This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Log in .

Here, we run through everything you need to know to get from setting up to scanning on a Mac, depending on the type of scanner you're using.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

MacBook Pro (From $1,299 at Apple)

How to setup your scanner on a Mac

Before setting everything up, make sure that your Mac has the latest version of Image Capture, the default scanning software that comes preinstalled on your computer. You can skip this if you use a multifunction AirPrint printer and scanner.

1. Following the directions listed on your scanner or printer, connect the scanner to your Mac, plug it in and turn it on. However, do not install any software that came with your scanner; your MacOS computer will download that automatically.

2. Go to the Apple icon in the top-left corner of your screen and click "System Preferences."

3. Select "Printers and Scanners."

4. Select your scanner.

5. If you don't see your scanner listed, you'll need to first click the plus sign in the lower-left corner of the screen. Click "Add."

How to scan a document on a Mac

Now that your scanner is set up properly, here's how to start using it with your Mac. The methods will differ depending on whether you use a document-feeding or flatbed scanner.

In either case, however, the first step remains the same: You have to open your scanner. Here's how:

1. Connect your scanner to your Mac, plug it in and turn it on.

2. Click the Apple icon in the top-left corner, then select "System Preferences" followed by "Printers and Scanners."

3. Select the scanner from the list on the left side of the window.

Next, follow the directions that match the type of scanner you have:

Scan with a document-feeding scanner

1. Place your pages in the scanner's document feeder.

2. Select "Use document feeder."

3. Set your scanning options (like color, two-sided pages, document size and save location).

4. Click "Scan."

Keep in mind that if you want to use different settings (like color for some pages and black-and-white for the rest) you'll need to scan those as separate groups.

Scan with a flatbed scanner

1. Place your items onto the scanner bed.

2. If necessary, deselect "Use Document Feeder."

3. Choose the save location.

4. Chose the document size.

5. Click "Scan."

If you want to scan multiple images at once and save each as separate files, make sure that there's empty space between each item on the scanner bed.

Be aware that documents with a lot of white space may automatically save as multiple files as well.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

How to print from a Mac computer, either wirelessly or with a USB cable

How to print double-sided documents on a Mac computer with any printer

How to add a wireless printer to your iPhone and print from it, using AirPrint or a third-party app

How to print directly from Google Docs, and how to check if your printer is Google Cloud-enabled

Devon Delfino is a Brooklyn-based freelance journalist specializing in personal finance, culture, politics, and identity. Her work has been featured in publications such as The Los Angeles Times, Teen Vogue, Business Insider, and CNBC. Follow her on Twitter at @devondelfino.

Insider Inc. receives a commission when you buy through our links.