Scan documents into usable files
NAPS2 is a document-scanning application that works with supported scanners and can create PDF or image output. It provides a desktop workflow for bringing scanned pages into a document project.
The application includes optical character recognition (OCR), allowing scanned pages to gain searchable text when an OCR language is available. Pages can be arranged before the resulting document is saved or shared.
NAPS2 is useful when a scan should become a portable PDF or image file without requiring a hosted service. Scanner support and available features can vary with the operating system and device driver.
- Best for
- People digitizing paper documents into PDFs or image files with optional searchable text.
- Good to know
- OCR results depend on the scan quality, document language, and the OCR language data in use.
NAPS2 turns a scanner into a document workflow instead of a folder of loose images.
How to get started
- Install the x64 build, open NAPS2 and pick your scanner from the device list.
- Set a default profile for the resolution and colour mode you normally use, then scan a single test page.
- Add the remaining pages, reorder or rotate them if needed, then save as PDF or image files.
Enable OCR when the document should be searchable. Install the matching OCR language data first, and check a recognised page before relying on the text in a search or a quote.
Questions & answers
Is NAPS2 free?
Yes. NAPS2 is free software licensed under the GNU GPL, with no paid edition required for scanning and PDF creation.
Does NAPS2 upload my documents?
No. Scanning, OCR and PDF creation run locally with your own driver and OCR data. Nothing is sent to a hosted service.
Why is OCR text inaccurate?
Recognition depends on scan quality, language data and page layout. Skewed pages, faint print and mixed languages reduce accuracy, so review the result before it matters.