How to turn photos of receipts and documents into one PDF

Why one PDF instead of several photos

Expense reports, insurance claims, visa applications and school forms often ask for "one PDF file". A single PDF keeps the pages in order, prints at a predictable size and is easier for the person on the other end to check than a pile of photos with names like IMG_4821.jpg.

Take photos that stay readable

• Lay the paper flat on a plain, darker surface so its edges stand out.
• Use even daylight or room light and avoid the flash, which leaves a bright spot. Hold the phone so its own shadow doesn't fall on the page.
• Hold the phone straight above the page, not at an angle, and fill the frame with the paper.
• Tap to focus on the text and check the photo before moving on. Thermal receipts fade, so photograph them soon.

! Don't photograph a document's personal numbers you aren't asked to share. If a page shows more than needed, cover it first with Edit a screenshot (it works on any photo).

Build the PDF with MoaMoa

1. Open Photos to PDF and choose your photos. You can add more later.
2. Put the pages in order with the move buttons, and rotate or crop any page that came out sideways or with too much background.
3. Choose a page size: A4 (used in most countries) or US Letter (the US and Canada). Same as photo makes each page exactly the size of its photo.
4. For small receipts, put 2, 4 or 6 photos on a page under Photos per page. Open a page to arrange its photos yourself if you like.
5. Under Quality, Smaller file keeps documents readable at about 150 dpi and makes a much smaller PDF, which helps with email limits.
6. Name the file, create the PDF and save it.

Photos keep their shape on the page; they are fitted, never stretched. The PDF doesn't include your file names, the photos' camera information or dates.

A4 or Letter?

A4 is 210 × 297 mm and Letter is 8.5 × 11 inches (216 × 279 mm). They're close, so either prints fine almost anywhere, but a form from a US or Canadian organization will expect Letter and most others A4. If you're not printing at all, Same as photo avoids white borders.

If the PDF is too large

• Switch Quality to Smaller file first.
• Crop away table and floor around each page; empty background still costs space.
• Put several small receipts on one page.
• If a portal limits each photo rather than the PDF, use Resize a photo on the photos instead.