Are you tired of manually entering contact information from business cards into your Outlook contacts? Do you want to find a solution that is both efficient and cost-effective? Look no further! In this article, we will explore how you can scan business cards into Outlook for free, saving you time and effort in managing your contacts.
Why Scan Business Cards into Outlook?
Business cards are a staple of networking and building professional relationships. They contain vital contact information such as names, phone numbers, email addresses, and job titles. However, manually inputting this information into your Outlook contacts can be a tedious and time-consuming task. By scanning business cards into Outlook, you can streamline this process and avoid errors or omissions that may occur when typing the information manually.
Utilizing Microsoft Office Lens
Microsoft Office Lens is a powerful document scanning app available for both iOS and Android devices. With its built-in OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology, Office Lens can automatically extract text from images, including business cards. Best of all, it is absolutely free to use!
To get started, download and install the Microsoft Office Lens app from your device’s app store. Once installed, open the app and grant the necessary permissions. With Office Lens, you can take a photo of a business card using your device’s camera. The app will then automatically crop and enhance the image, ensuring optimal readability. After the image has been processed, you can preview the extracted text and make any necessary corrections before saving it to Outlook.
Syncing Office Lens with Outlook
After capturing the information from a business card using Office Lens, you can easily sync it with your Outlook contacts. To do this, follow these simple steps:
- Launch the Office Lens app on your device.
- Open the scanned business card.
- Tap the “Share” button, usually represented by a square with an arrow pointing outwards.
- From the available options, select “Outlook” or “Contacts” to sync the contact information.
- Choose the Outlook account to which you want to add the contact.
- Confirm the details and click “Save” to save the contact to Outlook.
By syncing Office Lens with Outlook, you can effortlessly capture and store contact information, eliminating the need for manual data entry.
Exploring Third-Party Solutions
While Microsoft’s Office Lens provides a free and convenient method to scan business cards into Outlook, there are other third-party solutions available that offer additional features and functionalities. Here are a few popular options:
1. CamCard
CamCard is a widely-used business card scanner app that allows you to scan business cards and sync the contact information to various platforms, including Outlook. It offers features like digital card exchange, batch scanning, multi-device sync, and CRM integration. CamCard is available for both iOS and Android devices and offers a free version with limited functionality, as well as paid plans with advanced features.
2. Evernote Scannable
Evernote Scannable is a simple yet powerful document scanning app that also supports business card scanning. With its user-friendly interface, you can scan business cards quickly and accurately. Once scanned, Scannable automatically recognizes and extracts the contact information, allowing you to save it to Outlook or any other contact management software. Evernote Scannable is available for iOS devices only and is free to use.
3. ABBYY Business Card Reader
ABBYY Business Card Reader is a popular choice among professionals for scanning business cards and managing contacts. It offers advanced OCR technology, multiple language support, and seamless integration with Outlook and other popular CRM systems. ABBYY Business Card Reader is available for both iOS and Android devices, and while it is not entirely free, a free trial version is available for you to try before committing to a purchase.
Conclusion
Scanning business cards into Outlook can significantly improve your contact management process by saving time and reducing the risk of errors. Microsoft Office Lens provides a free and reliable solution for capturing business card information and syncing it with Outlook. Additionally, there are other third-party apps available with more advanced features to enhance your experience. Explore these options to find the best solution that suits your needs. So, what are you waiting for? Start scanning those business cards and simplify your contact management today with scanning business cards into Outlook free.
Olivia Reynolds, a marketing maven, is passionate about the impact of graphic design on brand success. Her love for outdoor adventures and travel fuels her fresh perspective on the importance of visual aesthetics in business cards and branding.