pdf doesn't show up in scanning file type

[jager5]

I have my hp printer (officejet 5200) set up and it prints fine.  Today I needed to scan documents for the first time.  I have to have the scans in pdf format.  Unfortunately, the only options for file type the printer gives me are BMP, JPG, PNG, and TIF.  I can't believe there's not a pdf option.  Am I doing something wrong?

[Riddle_Decipher]

@jager5 We've got you covered, here's all you need to do, to fix the issue:

Solution one: Check the HP Solution Center settings

Make sure that you are using the correct settings in HP Solution Center:

1. Right-click the Start button or the lower left corner of the screen, click Search, type HP Solution Center, and then press Enter.

2. Click the printer icon for the printer that you use to scan.

3. Click Scan Document.

   NOTE: 

   Do not select Scan Picture, even if the item that you want to scan to PDF is a picture. The Scan Picture selection limits the list of file types to picture file types, which excludes the PDF option.

   A screen displays to prompt for scan settings.

   If a settings prompt screen does not display, a preference might be set to bypass the prompt. Follow these steps to turn on the settings prompt and restart the scan:

   1. Cancel the pending scan, return to the home screen of HP Solution Center, and then click the Settings option.

   2. Click Scan Settings, and then click Scan Document Settings. The Scan Button Settings window opens.

   3. Check the settings in the Scan Document button area: Make sure to select the checkbox next to Prompt for settings at the time of the scan, and then click OK.

   4. Click Home to return to the home screen, and then click Scan Document to start the scan again.

4. On the settings prompt screen, make sure that the "picture" option is not selected. The software varies by printer, but you can look for the following:

   • If you see What are you scanning in the upper-left corner of the window, select Document, not "Picture."

   • If you see a list of Scan Shortcuts on the left side of the window, make sure that you do not select any shortcuts that refer to "Picture."

5. For the Scan to setting, click your scan destination in the drop-down list.

   NOTE: 

   The PDF file type might be available for more than one "Scan to" destination. If you are not sure what destination to select, Save to file is a good choice to start with.

6. For the File Type setting, look for PDF in the drop-down list.

   • If PDF is still not an option, continue to the solution to Reinstall the Adobe Reader software.

   • If PDF is an option, no further steps are necessary. You can continue with the scan.

     NOTE: 

     If PDF is an option in HP Solution Center, but not when you use the scan button on your printer, you need to use HP Solution Center to create the settings for the scan button on the printer. For example, you need to create settings for the "Scan to" destinations, file type, save location, preview option, etc. For some HP printers these settings combine into "Shortcuts" that will appear on the control panel display. For other HP printers, you create a "Destination list" that will appear on the control panel display.

      

     The steps to set up the scan button on your printer vary depending on your printer model, and the software version. For specific instructions, click the Help button on the home screen or settings screens in HP Solution Center.

For more details: CLICK HERE & SKIP TO Solution two: Reinstall the Adobe Reader software Under Windows 8

(works for Windows 10 as well)

P.S: Welcome to HP Community 😉

Let me know how that pans out,

If you feel I was helpful, simply click on Accept as Solution to help the community grow,

That said, I will have someone follow-up on this to ensure you've been helped,

Just in case you don't get back to us, 

have a good day, ahead.