How to use Google Drive to save PDF documents

In the digital age, modern life increasingly relies on digital solutions. It is no longer enough to have physical copies of documents; It is essential to transfer them to the digital world for reasons of security and practicality. In this context, the Google Drive stands out by offering a simple and efficient way to scan and save documents in PDF directly from your cell phone, eliminating the need for conventional scanners.

What is Google Drive?

O Google Drive is a cloud storage platform developed by Google that offers a convenient and secure way to store, synchronize and share files of different types, such as text documents, spreadsheets, presentations, images and videos. It allows users to access their files from anywhere with an internet connection, whether through a web browser or mobile apps.

One of the main advantages of Google Drive is its integration with other Google services, such as gmail and Google Photos, making it easier to share files through links or attachments in emails, as well as offering the option to automatically back up photos and videos taken with mobile devices.

In addition to file storage, Google Drive also includes several productivity tools, such as Google Docs (for editing text documents), Google Sheets (for spreadsheets) and Google Slides (for presentations), which allow users to collaboratively create and edit documents in real time without the need to install additional software — including creating PDF files on the platform.

Another important feature of Google Drive is its ability to synchronization between different devices, which means that any change made to a file is automatically updated on all devices connected to the user's account. This provides a fluid user experience and ensures that users always have access to the most recent version of their files.

Scanning documents into Google Drive (Android)

The process of scanning documents into PDF to Google Drive No. Android is quite simple, and all files are automatically saved in the format PDF by default.

Step 1: Open the app Google Drive, do it login in your account of Google and click the camera icon to create a new file PDF.

Step 2: Point your phone's rear camera under the document to scan it. The application will usually start “Automatic Capture” and will scan the document immediately when a blue outline appears around it. If you prefer, choose manual scanning by selecting "Manual". However, automatic capture is more efficient. When you're ready, tap capture button. If you are satisfied with the result, click the top button “Completed".

Step 3: Once scanned, the document will appear on the preview page. There, you can examine it, crop it, rotate it, apply filters, redo it, or delete it. Add more pages to PDF clicking on “plus sign” near the scan thumbnail. When finished, tap “To save" in the upper right corner of the screen.

Step 4: To access the file, select the option “Archives“, in the bottom left corner. Here you have access to the PDF file. To access options for what to do with the new file, such as share it, click the three dots on the right side of the file.

Scanning documents into Google Drive (iPhone/iOS)

To scan documents to PDF in Google Drive No. iOS (iPhone), the process is practically the same as in Android.

Step 1: Open the app Google Drive, do it login in your account of Google and click on the document icon to create a new file PDF.

Step 2: Accept the app's permission to access the device's camera. Now point your phone's rear camera under the document to scan it. The application will usually start “Automatic Capture” and will scan the document immediately when a blue outline appears around it. If you prefer, choose manual scanning by selecting "Manual". However, automatic capture is more efficient. When you're ready, tap capture button. If you are satisfied with the result, click the top button “Completed".

Step 3: Once scanned, the document will appear on the preview page. There, you can examine it, crop it, rotate it, apply filters, redo it, or delete it. When clicking on OK which is in the top left corner, you can scan more documents or finish if you are satisfied.

Step 4: After clicking OK, you will return to the capture screen if you want to scan more documents. If you want to continue, click Save in the bottom right corner.

Step 5: This page is for you to make final adjustments to your document. Here you can change the title of the document, in the “Name” and you can also choose which location you would like it to be saved to. By default, scanned files are saved in the same Drive of user. To proceed, simply select the option Save, at the top right corner.

Step 6: At this point you will be sent to the home page of Google Drive. At the bottom, a message will appear that the file was scanned successfully and then another message suggesting sending it to the location where the file was saved. Click in "To locate” to check the file.

Step 7: This is the last step of digitization. To open the different options of what to do with your file, how to share it, just click on the three dots in the top right corner.

Conclusion

In a world where digital practicality is fundamental, the Google Drive proves itself not only as a cloud storage tool, but also as a powerful ally in converting documents into PDF. The ability to scan and save files to PDF directly from your cell phone, without the need for conventional scanners, simplifies and speeds up the process of organizing and sharing important documents. As Google Drive, it becomes easier and more accessible to keep our essential documents in digital format, thus ensuring security and practicality in the digital age.

See also:

Google Drive wins PDF annotations natively.

Source: The Verge e SlashGear

reviewed by Glaucon Vital in 10 / 5 / 24.