Why scans and faxes arrive as TIFF
TIFF is an old and reliable image format. Scanners, fax software and document archives use it because one file can hold many pages, stored without losing detail.
The downside is support. Most web browsers do not display TIFF at all, some viewers open only the first page, and upload forms usually ask for PDF. Converting the file solves all three problems.
Need one page as a picture instead? TIFF to JPG converts the first page of a TIFF into a JPG image.
Multipage TIFF to PDF: what to expect
| You add | You get |
|---|---|
| One multipage TIFF, such as a fax or a scanned contract | One PDF page for each TIFF page, up to 200 |
| Several TIFF files | One PDF, files in the order you set |
| Black and white fax pages | Lossless pages with sharp text |
| Large color scans | Lossless pages too, so the PDF can be big |
Lossless pages keep every detail, but high resolution color scans make heavy files. If the PDF is too large for email or an upload portal, run it through Compress PDF. To drop blank pages or a fax cover sheet, use Delete PDF Pages.
Tips for scanner and fax files
- Match the paper. A4 or US Letter with a small margin prints like the original sheet.
- Use Fit to image for archives. With Margin set to None, each PDF page matches the scanned page.
- Check the page count. Compare it with the fax header or the scan job before you send the PDF on.
- Split very long files. A TIFF with more than 200 pages goes past the limit, so export it from your scanner software in smaller parts.
- Name files before adding them. Clear names such as dates make it easier to drag several scans into the right order.