Dropbox Inc. has announced updates for its collaboration tool, Paper and introduces its scanning feature for the Dropbox Android app.

Dropbox Paper was introduced earlier this year following a six-month beta. The collaboration tool, which competes with the likes of Google Docs, allows users to collaborate on shared documents. The latest update introduces an offline mode in the iOS and Android Paper apps so users can view, create and edit documents while offline.

The latest update also brings Dropbox’s scanning feature, which was introduced for iOS users last year, to Android users.

Here’s a look at the latest updates for Dropbox Paper and the Dropbox Android app:

Dropbox Paper available offline

Dropbox has updated its Paper mobile apps to allow for work while users are offline. The Paper app’s new offline mode will allow you to create new documents or access, edit and comment on existing documents. Once you are back online, all your changes will be synced with the Paper service.

When Dropbox Paper launched in January it was only available in English, but the latest update also brings support for 20 languages on mobile, including Malay, Japanese, Indonesian, German and Russian.

Scan documents with the Dropbox Android app

On your Android device, open the Dropbox app > tap the “+” icon > tap Scan Document. Select “Allow” when prompted to “Allow Dropbox to pictures and record video?” and to access photos, media and files on your device.

Point your camera at the object that you want to scan (i.e. paper document, whiteboard content, business card, etc.). The border will outline the shape that you are scanning. Make sure there is no glare on the item you are scanning and to only include what you want to scan.

Scan multiple pages

You can scan multiple documents, up to 10 pages, and save the file as a single PDF document. After scanning the first page, from the Edit view, tap the “add more pages” icon (two pages with a + sign) > scan your next page.

Edit your scan

The next screen, after scanning your document, is the “Scan Preview” view where you can edit your scan.

Tip: If you scanned multiple documents, tap “Arrange” next to “Edit” to reorder the pages of your scan.  

Adjust your scan

On the Edit screen, tap the icon with the three sliders at the bottom of the screen. Here you will be able to edit your scan by moving the blue dots on each corner of the scan; select a format for your scan (B&W, Whiteboard or Original); and adjust the contrast using the slider (only available for some filters).

Once you are happy with the edits, tap the checkmark in the top-right corner of the screen.

Save your scan

On the Scan Preview view, tap the arrow in the top right. In the “Save as” view, name your file > choose a file type > select a location for the file.

Note: If you are scanning while offline, your scanned documents will upload to Dropbox once you have an internet connection.

Full-text search – Dropbox Business users

Dropbox Business users are able to search text in scanned documents, saved as .pdf files. Business users will only be able to use the search bar to search scanned typed documents written in English.

If you pair your personal and work accounts you will also have access to the search functionality in your personal account.

Source: Dropbox Help Center

Image: In 30 Minutes guides; Flickr