
About Microsoft Lens
Microsoft Lens (formerly Microsoft Office Lens) is an optical character recognition (OCR) solution designed to help businesses of all sizes capture and record information from images, documents, notes, whiteboards, business cards and more. It allows users to scan and create digital copy of any printed or written text, facilitating exchange of information across systems.
Key features of Microsoft Lens include data capture, review, editing and file sharing. Enterprises can utilize the system to convert images into PDF, Word and PowerPoint files and store them in local or cloud drives. Plus, it enables students to scan learning materials such as classroom handouts, notes & whiteboards, and upload them into OneNote or OneDrive for future reference.
Microsoft Lens allows sales teams to access details of networking contacts by scanning business cards in various languages including English, Spanish, German, and Simplified Chinese and save information directly into contact lists as well as OneNote. The solution helps users automatically recognize texts and navigate through content using search functionality.
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- Industry: E-Learning
- Company size: 10,000+ Employees
- Used Weekly for 2+ years
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Review Source
Overall rating
- Value for Money
- Ease of Use
- Customer Support
- Likelihood to recommend 10.0 /10
Scanning Made Easy with Office Lens
Reviewed on 5/11/2020
Microsoft Office Lens is a reliable tool that provides scanning services for free but with maximum...
Microsoft Office Lens is a reliable tool that provides scanning services for free but with maximum quality. On top of all these perks, it's just a click away from your smartphone. I use it during meetings when I don't have with me my laptop, or at moments when I need to take a super clear shot on any document such as memos, announcements, or even receipts at supermarkets or hardware stores which I could use as a proof of purchase or for reimbursements.
Thanks, Microsoft!
Pros
Microsoft Office Lens solves the day whenever a need for crystal-clear scanning of photos or documents arises. It's the go-to application when you're out and suddenly feel the need for a handy mobile scanner, realizing that it's an application in your smartphone.
The tool is easy-to-use although the walk-through tutorial upon installing it is of great help too. The buttons' functions are simple yet so powerful. I use it a lot in scanning documents and taking snapshots of words written on a whiteboard.
It's also a recommended software for taking random shots whose quality are at par with those of other top applications out in the market, or maybe better.
Cons
The scanning feature is one of the best and it's so reliable when used. If I may suggest though, the focusing task is sometimes a little annoying especially if the correct shape or outline is not easily met. But overall, it's best at what it does which is performing like an actual scanning machine.
- Industry: Education Management
- Company size: 10,000+ Employees
- Used Weekly for 2+ years
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Review Source
Overall rating
- Value for Money
- Ease of Use
- Customer Support
- Likelihood to recommend 9.0 /10
I have been using this app for a long time. The auto detection feature during clicking is...
Reviewed on 14/11/2020
Pros
I have been using Microsoft office lens for more than two years now. I find it is a great improvement to what I was previously using. The Best feature that I like about this app is that it auto detects and crops the subject during picture clicking and saves time, unlike other apps where auto cropping is done as a post processing part. Being a free tool, office lens offers OCR feature for exporting to text format in PDF and Word, which is often missing in the free versions of peer apps . Thirdly, It doesn't add a watermark to the output files.
Cons
The user should be allowed to tweak the parameters that control the picture quality. Some peer apps have the option of regulating the contrast, sharpness, details and brightness as soon as the pictures are clicked and cropped. Second, office lens should support more options than scanning from just documents, business cards, etc (for example, powerpoints and greeting cards offered in peer apps).
- Industry: Hospital & Health Care
- Company size: 2–10 Employees
- Used Daily for 1+ year
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Review Source
Overall rating
- Value for Money
- Ease of Use
- Customer Support
- Likelihood to recommend 5.0 /10
Confusing Set-Up
Reviewed on 19/11/2019
Took months to get set-up all the way completed as there was an issue with the Microsoft customer...
Took months to get set-up all the way completed as there was an issue with the Microsoft customer service reps not being able to assist with set-up or integration. Very frustrating experience.
Pros
Microsoft is one of the world's leading software's, so it integrates with most other products nicely.
Cons
The customer service for set-up was awful, took weeks to get everything properly set up and the customer service reps don't seem to know what they are talking about.

- Industry: Information Technology & Services
- Company size: 201–500 Employees
- Used Weekly for 6-12 months
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Review Source
Overall rating
- Value for Money
- Ease of Use
- Customer Support
- Likelihood to recommend 9.0 /10
A really great digitizing app
Reviewed on 19/2/2023
I sometimes use it to digitize visual media in order to obtain a high-quality rendering. You can...
I sometimes use it to digitize visual media in order to obtain a high-quality rendering. You can scan documents in high quality, convert handwritten text into digital text, and edit it in Word, PowerPoint, or Onenote. I highly recommend it
Pros
Microsoft Lens is a really great app. With Microsoft Lens, it is very easy to convert a physical, visual medium into a digital file. With a single click of your smartphone photo, you transform your visual support into an editable digital file. I like its scanning accuracy and its sharing and integration features with Microsoft Office applications. It integrates very easily with other Microsoft Office tools such as Word, Onenote, Powerpoint, etc. Or, with its scanning accuracy, you can simply keep the rendered file or share it. Also, it is possible to process a file already in its gallery to make it editable. Microsoft Office Lens is an application to try at least once
Cons
I have not had any particular problems with this product. I don't have any recommendations to make at this time
- Industry: Individual & Family Services
- Company size: Self Employed
- Used Weekly for 2+ years
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Review Source
Overall rating
- Value for Money
- Ease of Use
- Customer Support
- Likelihood to recommend 10.0 /10
What I think about Microsoft Office Lens
Reviewed on 27/2/2021
I use it to scan images with texts that I want to keep saved (newsletters, documents, etc.). The...
I use it to scan images with texts that I want to keep saved (newsletters, documents, etc.). The repositioning of the photo is great and helps to make all text readable.
Pros
Easy to use, good filters and scaling to scan images. Direct and effective storage and sharing.
Cons
Perhaps the theme and layout could be made more interesting, customizable and with a more pleasant appearance.
Microsoft Lens FAQs
Below are some frequently asked questions for Microsoft Lens.Q. What type of pricing plans does Microsoft Lens offer?
Microsoft Lens offers the following pricing plans:
- Pricing model: Free Version
- Free Trial: Not Available
Product is available for free.
Q. Who are the typical users of Microsoft Lens?
Microsoft Lens has the following typical customers:
Self Employed, 2–10, 11–50, 51–200, 201–500, 501–1,000, 1,001–5,000
Q. What languages does Microsoft Lens support?
Microsoft Lens supports the following languages:
Chinese, English, German, Spanish
Q. Does Microsoft Lens support mobile devices?
Microsoft Lens supports the following devices:
Android (Mobile), iPhone (Mobile), iPad (Mobile)
Q. What other apps does Microsoft Lens integrate with?
Microsoft Lens integrates with the following applications:
Microsoft OneNote, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, OneDrive
Q. What level of support does Microsoft Lens offer?
Microsoft Lens offers the following support options:
Email/Help Desk, Knowledge Base, Phone Support
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