How do I change scan profiles and settings on the ScanSnap S1100?

Applies to: ScanSnap S1100 Portable Document Scanner
Last updated: 4 February 2026

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Problem

Your ScanSnap S1100 scans documents, but the results are not always what you want. Files may save in the wrong format, go to the wrong folder, or apply settings such as colour, resolution or OCR that are not suitable for every document. You may also be unsure how scan profiles work or how to create different profiles for different tasks.

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Solution

The ScanSnap S1100 relies on scan profiles in ScanSnap Home to control how documents are scanned, processed and saved. By understanding how profiles work and creating a small number of well defined profiles, you can quickly switch between different scanning behaviours without reconfiguring settings every time you press the scan button.

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Step-by-step instructions

Understand how scan profiles work

1. Open ScanSnap Home.
2. Locate the Profiles or Scan Settings section.
3. Note that each profile controls scan type, output format, resolution, OCR and save location.
4. Understand that the physical scan button uses the currently selected default profile.
5. Changes to a profile affect every scan that uses it.

Profiles are the key to predictable scanning behaviour.

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Review the default scan profile

1. Open the default scan profile assigned to the scan button.
2. Check the document type, such as document, receipt or photo.
3. Review output format, usually PDF.
4. Confirm resolution and colour mode.
5. Review OCR settings if enabled.
6. Make note of where files are saved.

This helps you decide what needs changing before creating new profiles.

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Create a new scan profile

1. In ScanSnap Home, choose Add Profile or Create New Profile.
2. Give the profile a clear, descriptive name.
3. Select the document type appropriate for the task.
4. Choose output format, such as PDF or JPEG.
5. Set resolution and colour mode.
6. Configure OCR and file naming options if required.
7. Save the profile.

Clear naming makes it easy to select the right profile quickly.

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Assign profiles to different workflows

1. Create separate profiles for common tasks such as documents, receipts and photos.
2. Use a simple profile without OCR for quick scanning.
3. Use a searchable PDF profile for archiving important paperwork.
4. Create a photo profile with higher resolution and colour accuracy if needed.
5. Avoid creating too many profiles, as this slows selection and increases confusion.

A small number of well chosen profiles is more effective than many similar ones.

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Change the active profile before scanning

1. Open ScanSnap Home.
2. Select the desired scan profile.
3. Confirm it is active and assigned to the scan button.
4. Insert the document and press the scan button.
5. Verify the output matches the selected profile.

Always check the active profile if scan results look wrong.

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Adjust advanced settings carefully

1. Open the settings for a specific profile.
2. Adjust advanced options such as blank page removal or colour detection only if needed.
3. Test changes with a single page scan.
4. Revert settings if results worsen.
5. Avoid changing multiple advanced options at once.

Small changes can have a big impact on scan results.

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Optional methods or tools

• Duplicate profiles for testing
  Copy an existing profile before making major changes so you can revert easily.
• Profile naming conventions
  Use prefixes such as Quick, Archive or Photo to group similar profiles.
• Temporary profile switching
  Switch profiles only when needed rather than constantly adjusting one profile.

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Best practices or tips

• Keep one reliable default profile for everyday scanning.
• Use descriptive profile names to avoid mistakes.
• Test new profiles with sample documents before relying on them.
• Avoid overusing OCR on documents that do not need it.
• Review profiles periodically and remove ones you no longer use.

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Scan profiles are what make the ScanSnap S1100 flexible despite its simple hardware. By setting up a handful of well defined profiles, you can control exactly how documents are scanned, named and stored with a single button press. This removes the need for constant manual adjustments and keeps scanning fast and consistent.

Once profiles are configured properly, most scanning issues disappear because the scanner behaves predictably every time. Spending a little time organising profiles up front saves significant time later, especially when dealing with mixed document types or different storage requirements.