Can I scan directly to SharePoint Online?

Yes, but not out of the box for most scanners. You need compatible MFP hardware with a SharePoint connector, or a workaround such as scanning to a OneDrive-synced folder or routing scans through Power Automate. Mobile users can scan directly via the OneDrive app.

What's the difference between scanning to SharePoint vs. OneDrive?

OneDrive is personal storage tied to an individual user account. SharePoint is team-shared storage that persists regardless of staff changes, with granular access controls, versioning, and workflow automation. For business documents that multiple people need to access, SharePoint is the better destination.

Why did my scan to SharePoint stop working?

Almost certainly the Microsoft Basic Authentication deprecation. Starting in 2023–2024, Microsoft disabled the username/password (Basic Auth) method that older MFPs used to connect to SharePoint Online. Your device needs a firmware update to support OAuth 2.0, or you need to reroute through OneDrive sync or a Power Automate flow.

Can I scan to SharePoint from my phone?

Yes. The OneDrive mobile app (iOS and Android) has a built-in document scanner — tap +, select Scan, capture, and save to any SharePoint library synced to your OneDrive. Dedicated scanner apps like Scanjet can also save directly to OneDrive for seamless SharePoint delivery.

Do scanned PDFs need OCR to be searchable in SharePoint?

Yes. SharePoint's search engine cannot extract text from image-only scanned files — they won't appear in keyword searches or eDiscovery. You need OCR applied at scan time (via your scanner software or a scanner app) or retroactively via SharePoint Premium's built-in OCR service.

Scan to SharePoint: How It Works and When to Use It

Scanning documents to SharePoint isn't just uploading a file — it's connecting paper workflows to searchable, governed, automated storage. Learn every method, from MFP hardware to Power Automate flows, and how to choose the right one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I scan directly to SharePoint Online?: Yes, but not out of the box for most scanners. You need compatible MFP hardware with a SharePoint connector, or a workaround such as scanning to a OneDrive-synced folder or routing scans through Power Automate. Mobile users can scan directly via the OneDrive app.
What's the difference between scanning to SharePoint vs. OneDrive?: OneDrive is personal storage tied to an individual user account. SharePoint is team-shared storage that persists regardless of staff changes, with granular access controls, versioning, and workflow automation. For business documents that multiple people need to access, SharePoint is the better destination.
Why did my scan to SharePoint stop working?: Almost certainly the Microsoft Basic Authentication deprecation. Starting in 2023–2024, Microsoft disabled the username/password (Basic Auth) method that older MFPs used to connect to SharePoint Online. Your device needs a firmware update to support OAuth 2.0, or you need to reroute through OneDrive sync or a Power Automate flow.
Can I scan to SharePoint from my phone?: Yes. The OneDrive mobile app (iOS and Android) has a built-in document scanner — tap +, select Scan, capture, and save to any SharePoint library synced to your OneDrive. Dedicated scanner apps like Scanjet can also save directly to OneDrive for seamless SharePoint delivery.
Do scanned PDFs need OCR to be searchable in SharePoint?: Yes. SharePoint's search engine cannot extract text from image-only scanned files — they won't appear in keyword searches or eDiscovery. You need OCR applied at scan time (via your scanner software or a scanner app) or retroactively via SharePoint Premium's built-in OCR service.