> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.peanutsapp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Smart Scan Mastery

> Extract data from receipts, documents, and business cards with AI-powered scanning

<Info>
  **Time:** 10 minutes | **Level:** Intermediate\
  **Prerequisites:** [Logging Like a Pro](/tutorials/beginner/logging-like-a-pro)
</Info>

<Note>
  Smart Scan costs **5 credits** per scan and requires a Starter plan or higher.
</Note>

## What You'll Learn

* Use Smart Scan to extract structured data from photos
* Take photos that scan accurately
* Review and correct extracted data
* Know which document types work best
* Use bulk scanning for multiple items

***

## What is Smart Scan?

Smart Scan uses AI to extract structured data from images and automatically populate your helper fields. Instead of typing "Starbucks, \$5.75, coffee, 10:30am", you snap a photo and Peanuts fills it all in.

### Smart Scan vs Regular Photo

| Feature           | Regular Photo    | Smart Scan             |
| ----------------- | ---------------- | ---------------------- |
| **Credits**       | 0                | 5                      |
| **What's saved**  | Just the image   | Image + extracted data |
| **Field mapping** | Manual           | Automatic              |
| **Best for**      | Reference photos | Receipts, documents    |

***

## Using Smart Scan

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Your Helper">
    Navigate to the helper where you want to log (e.g., Expense Tracker).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Tap the Camera Icon">
    Look for the camera button with the **sparkle** indicator (✨) showing Smart Scan is available.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Take or Select Photo">
    * **Camera:** Point at document and capture
    * **Gallery:** Select an existing photo
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wait for Processing">
    Smart Scan analyzes the image (usually 2-5 seconds). You'll see a processing indicator.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review Extracted Data">
    Peanuts shows what it found:

    * Check each field for accuracy
    * Tap any field to edit
    * The original image is attached for reference
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save Entry">
    Tap **Add** to save the entry with extracted data.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## What Smart Scan Extracts

### From Receipts

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Purchase Details" icon="receipt">
    * Store/merchant name
    * Date and time
    * Total amount
    * Payment method
    * Tax amount
  </Card>

  <Card title="Line Items" icon="list">
    * Individual items purchased
    * Item prices
    * Quantities
    * Discounts applied
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### From Business Cards

* Name and title
* Company name
* Phone number(s)
* Email address
* Physical address
* Website URL

### From Documents

* Key text content
* Dates mentioned
* Amounts/numbers
* Table data (when present)

***

## Taking Better Photos

Photo quality directly affects extraction accuracy. Follow these tips:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Lighting">
    **Do:**

    * Use natural daylight when possible
    * Ensure even lighting across the document
    * Avoid harsh shadows

    **Don't:**

    * Shoot in dim environments
    * Let your hand cast shadows
    * Use flash directly (causes glare)
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Angle">
    **Do:**

    * Hold camera directly above (90° angle)
    * Keep document flat
    * Capture all corners in frame

    **Don't:**

    * Shoot at steep angles
    * Cut off edges or corners
    * Include lots of background
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Focus">
    **Do:**

    * Tap screen to focus on text
    * Wait for camera to stabilize
    * Ensure text is sharp and readable

    **Don't:**

    * Move while capturing
    * Capture blurry images
    * Zoom in too much (reduces quality)
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

### Good vs Bad Examples

| ✅ Good Photo              | ❌ Bad Photo                    |
| ------------------------- | ------------------------------ |
| Even lighting, no shadows | Harsh shadows, dim areas       |
| Flat, straight-on angle   | Tilted, perspective distortion |
| All text in focus         | Blurry sections                |
| Full document visible     | Corners cut off                |
| Clean background          | Cluttered background           |

***

## Supported Document Types

### Works Great

| Document Type        | Extraction Quality | Notes                      |
| -------------------- | ------------------ | -------------------------- |
| **Printed receipts** | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐              | Best results               |
| **Invoices**         | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐              | Structured format helps    |
| **Business cards**   | ⭐⭐⭐⭐               | Standard layouts work well |
| **Typed documents**  | ⭐⭐⭐⭐               | Clear fonts extract easily |
| **Screenshots**      | ⭐⭐⭐⭐               | High resolution preferred  |

### Limited Support

| Document Type         | Extraction Quality | Notes                      |
| --------------------- | ------------------ | -------------------------- |
| **Handwritten notes** | ⭐⭐                 | Neat handwriting only      |
| **Faded receipts**    | ⭐⭐                 | Thermal paper degrades     |
| **Complex tables**    | ⭐⭐⭐                | May need manual correction |
| **Multi-page docs**   | ⭐⭐                 | Scan pages separately      |
| **Foreign languages** | ⭐⭐⭐                | Major languages supported  |

***

## Reviewing & Correcting

Smart Scan isn't perfect. Always review before saving:

### Common Issues

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Wrong amount extracted">
    The AI may confuse subtotal, tax, and total. Look for the line marked "Total" or "Amount Due" on your receipt.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Date format confusion">
    MM/DD vs DD/MM can cause errors. Check the date matches the receipt.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Merchant name wrong">
    Long or stylized merchant names may be truncated. Edit to your preferred naming.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Missing line items">
    Very long receipts may not capture all items. Add important missing items manually.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

### Quick Correction Flow

1. Tap the field with incorrect data
2. Type the correct value
3. The correction is saved with your entry
4. Original image remains attached for reference

***

## Bulk Scanning

For multiple receipts or documents:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Gather Documents">
    Have all receipts/documents ready before starting.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Smart Scan">
    Tap the camera icon in your helper.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable Bulk Mode">
    Tap the **stack icon** or "Scan Multiple" option.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Scan Each Document">
    Take photos one by one. Each is queued for processing.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review All">
    After scanning, review each extracted entry before saving.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Bulk scanning is perfect for end-of-week expense catch-up or digitizing a stack of business cards.
</Tip>

***

## Smart Scan Use Cases

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Expense Tracking" icon="receipt">
    Scan receipts immediately after purchase. Never lose track of spending.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Contact Management" icon="address-card">
    Scan business cards at events. Build your contact list instantly.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Document Archiving" icon="folder">
    Scan important documents. Extract key data and store the image.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Inventory Logging" icon="box">
    Scan product labels or invoices. Extract item details automatically.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Exercise

<Card title="Practice: Scan and Verify" icon="dumbbell">
  Practice Smart Scan with a real document:

  1. **Find a receipt** from a recent purchase (store receipt, restaurant bill, or online order confirmation screenshot)

  2. **Open your expense tracker** and tap the camera icon with Smart Scan enabled

  3. **Take a good photo** following the tips:
     * Even lighting
     * Straight-on angle
     * Full document in frame
     * All text in focus

  4. **Review the extraction:**
     * Is the total amount correct?
     * Is the merchant name accurate?
     * Is the date right?

  5. **Correct any errors** before saving

  6. **Check the saved entry** - tap to see the attached receipt image

  **Bonus:** Try scanning a business card if you have one handy!
</Card>

***

## Key Takeaways

<Tip>
  **Remember:**

  * Smart Scan costs 5 credits per scan
  * Photo quality = extraction quality
  * Always review extracted data before saving
  * Original image is saved for reference
  * Bulk mode speeds up multiple scans
</Tip>

***

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Extraction completely wrong">
    The image may be too blurry or poorly lit. Retake the photo with better conditions.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Fields not mapping correctly">
    Smart Scan maps to your helper's fields. If your helper doesn't have a matching field (e.g., no "Tax" field), that data won't be captured.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Scan takes too long">
    * Check your internet connection
    * Complex documents take longer
    * Try a simpler photo (less background clutter)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Credits deducted but scan failed">
    Contact support with the failed scan details. Credits can be restored for technical failures.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Telegram Integration" href="/tutorials/intermediate/telegram-integration" icon="paper-plane">
    Send photos via Telegram for scanning
  </Card>

  <Card title="Smart Scan Reference" href="/features/smart-scan" icon="book">
    Complete feature documentation
  </Card>
</CardGroup>