SharePoint Document Issues

How to Scan Directly to SharePoint from a Sharp Printer

Guest Writer Oct 9, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to configure a Sharp printer to scan documents directly into a Microsoft SharePoint library.

How to Scan Directly to SharePoint from a Sharp Printer

Product: SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Scanning physical documents into cloud storage using a Sharp network printer.
Observed behavior: SharePoint Online lacks a universal direct-scanning feature for all printers, requiring specific Sharp applications or a OneDrive synchronization workaround.

Before you start

Ensure your Sharp printer is connected to your local network, and you have administrative access to both the printer's web interface and your SharePoint site.

Solution 1Recommended

Route Scans via OneDrive Folder Synchronization

This method bypasses printer compatibility limits by scanning to a local folder that automatically syncs to your SharePoint library.

SharePoint Online does not have a universal direct-scan feature for all network printers. By syncing a SharePoint document library to your PC using OneDrive, you can configure your printer to scan directly to this local folder using standard SMB scanning protocols.

Sync the SharePoint library

Open your SharePoint site in a web browser, navigate to the target document library, and click the 'Sync' button in the top menu to sync it to your computer via OneDrive.

Share the synced folder

Right-click the newly synced SharePoint folder in File Explorer, select 'Properties', navigate to the 'Sharing' tab, and share the folder on your local network.

Access printer settings

Log into your Sharp printer's web interface by entering its IP address into a web browser on a computer connected to the same network.

Configure the scan destination

Add a new scan destination in the printer's address book, enter the network path of your shared synced folder (e.g., \\Your-PC-Name\Shared-Folder), and provide your Windows credentials for access.

Route Scans via OneDrive Folder Synchronization

Computer Power Requirement: For this workaround to function, the computer hosting the synced folder must remain powered on and actively connected to the internet to upload the scans to SharePoint.

Solution 2

Install the Official Sharp Scan to SharePoint Application

Sharp offers a dedicated application for compatible multi-function printers to connect and authenticate directly with SharePoint Online.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Manage and Edit Your Scanned Documents with WPS Office

After scanning your documents to SharePoint or your local PC, you can easily open, edit, and organize these PDFs and Office files using WPS Office. It is a lightweight, free alternative that offers excellent compatibility with Microsoft formats.

1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office for free from the official website.
2. Open your scanned file: Launch WPS Office and click on 'Open' to browse your synced SharePoint folder or local directory.
3. Edit the document: Select your scanned PDF or image and use the built-in PDF tools to edit, annotate, or convert it as needed.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office file formats (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)Built-in PDF editor to easily annotate, edit, and convert your scanned documentsLightweight application that runs smoothly on almost any PCFree and intuitive interface for seamless document management

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't my Sharp printer connect to SharePoint natively?

SharePoint Online uses modern authentication (OAuth) and specific APIs that older or unconfigured printers do not support natively. A specialized connector app or middleware is typically required to bridge the connection.

Can I use Microsoft Power Automate to route my scanned documents to SharePoint?

Yes. You can configure your Sharp printer to scan to a specific email address (Scan-to-Email) or a local network folder, and then set up a Power Automate flow to automatically save those incoming attachments or files directly into a SharePoint library.

Does my PC need to stay on if I use the OneDrive sync method?

Yes. If you are routing scans to a local network folder that syncs to SharePoint via OneDrive, the computer hosting that folder must remain powered on, awake, and connected to the internet for the synchronization to occur.

Document & File Issues