Scan multiple pages, but each creating its own PDF

[Fentonius]

Hello all,

I am in the process of digitising a whole bunch of paperwork, some of which are large piles where each sheet is an individual document. Is there a way of sticking a bunch of them into the feeder, pressing "scan to network" and have it create an equivalent number of PDFs each one with one or two pages (single or double sided). At the moment the operation is that all the pages in the feeder are merged into a single PDF  - which up to now has been exactly what was needed!

Thanks for you help ... Peter

[Dragon-Fur]

@Fentonius

My experience with laser printers is sketchy (limited).  Sometimes my advice is good.. other times, I miss the mark.  "Just saying."

In general, the "destination" tab or perhaps the print dialog should have some sort of selection (button?) to determine whether all the scans are treated separately or as one (large) PDF file.  (That advice is solid - I just don't know precisely where you will find the option to split or combine the pages.)

The problem, if there is one, is that any scan software might not be able to "on the fly" sense the need to flip over a particluar page for a second pass, especially if that two-sided document is amongst single sided documents (sheets of paper). 

IF (emphasis on if) the HP Scan Extended software works with your Laser printer, the options are very nice and you may at least get close to what you seek.   The HP Scan Extended software is a scan function subset of the Inkjet Full Feature Software.  There is every chance that the HPSE software won't work with the laser printer software (whic provides the substrate / infrastructure for the scan function).

HP Scan Extended – Exceptional free HP scan program:  HP Scan Extended features include (and are not limited to): Single, Multiple scans, Image and PDF scans, Auto-Detect (extracts image / document boundary). Download, save, and install to use.

NOTES

• HPSE is an older subset of the printer software; features are very similar to scan software included in 2015 or newer Full Feature Software packages.
• If you have the newer version of the scan software inside your Full Feature Software, use that: Printer Assistant shortcut icon on Desktop (named for printer) > Scan a document or image (wording varies).
• Although the HPSE program works as a separate program, HPSE is dependent on the infrastructure provided by the printer software. The Full Feature Software for your printer should be installed before installing HPSE.

Something to check out - not quite as robust as the HP Scan Extended...

NAPS2 -- Not another PDF Scanner – free program scans PDF files and image(s) as .jpeg or PDF file(s).  Includes OCR.  Download, save, and install to use.

Reference and Resources – Places to find help and learn about your Printer

Printer Homepage – “Things that are your printer”

Drivers / Software / Firmware Updates, Videos, Bulletins/Notices, How-to, Troubleshooting, User Guides, Product Information, more

HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M476 series

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[Fentonius]

Thanks for the reply Dragon-Fur. With your prompting I looked closer at the HP scan software that comes with the printer. There is an option in the advanced section that lets you "create a separate PDF for each scanned page". This is almost what I want - but ... now a double sided sheet of paper now produces 2 PDFs! Also what I was really wanting (and which I think is just not possible) is for this option to be available on the printer touch screen settings menu or the scan section of the "HP Device Toolbox". 

Anyway, what I've found will do for now and if I'm feeling brave I might try installing NAPS2 at some point and see that improves on things.

Thanks again ... Peter

[Dragon-Fur]

@Fentonius

You are welcome.

Well, you are closer.

I agree that what you seek may not be exactly available when you are processing multiple documents in the same stack.

Good Luck - I hope the task is at least more manageable now.

Thank you for participating in the HP Community Forum.

We are a world community of HP enthusiasts dedicated to supporting HP technology.