Input Options

The Input Options tab defines where a scan workflow gets its documents and, for device scans, how the hardware captures them. You first pick a flow type — MFP, Hot Folder, Web, Mobile or Email — and the tab then shows only the settings relevant to that type: MFP scan parameters (with optional per-setting locks), a monitored folder path, or a mailbox connection.

Screenshot: Scan Workflow editor — Input Options tab

Flow Type

The Flow Type selector determines the input source. The rest of the tab changes to match your choice.

MFP Scan Settings

When the flow type is MFP, the following hardware scanning parameters appear. Each of them can be locked (see Locking scan settings below).

Resolution

Scanning resolution in dots per inch (DPI). Higher values are sharper but produce larger files.

Page Mode

• Simplex — scans one side of each sheet.

• Duplex — scans both sides using the automatic document feeder.

Colour Mode

Media Size

Sets the expected paper size. Supported values: Auto (device detects), A3, A4, A4R, A5, A5R, A6, A6R, B5, B6, B6R, Letter and Legal. The "R" variants are the rotated (landscape) orientation of the same format. Choose Auto for most workflows; pick a specific size when automatic detection is unreliable or a consistent output size is required.

Job Assembly

When Job Assembly is enabled, the user can scan several batches in succession and OptimiDoc combines them into a single document before processing. This is useful when a document is too large for the feeder in one pass, or when mixing feeder and flatbed pages.

Locking Scan Settings

Next to each MFP setting is a small padlock control that decides whether the user may change that setting at the device:

• Unlocked (open padlock) — the configured value is a starting default; the user can change it on the MFP panel before scanning.

• Locked (closed padlock, highlighted) — the configured value is enforced and the corresponding control is hidden or read-only on the device.

Locking is available for Resolution, Page Mode, Colour Mode, Media Size and Job Assembly. Lock the settings that must stay consistent (for example, force 300 DPI black & white for an archive workflow) and leave the rest unlocked so users retain flexibility.

Hot Folder Settings

When the flow type is Hot Folder, a folder path is configured:

• Folder Path — the local or network path OptimiDoc monitors for incoming files (for example C:\ScanInput or \\server\share\input).

• Files placed in the folder are processed automatically according to the workflow's processing, output and destination settings.

• Subfolder levels carry metadata: each level of the folder tree can be mapped to a value on the Parameters tab (for example first level = user login, second level = document type), and a level can be flagged as the user's login for accounting.

Ensure the OptimiDoc service account has read and write permissions to the monitored folder.

Email Settings

When the flow type is Email, mailbox connection settings are displayed:

• Protocol — IMAP or POP3.

• Server — the mail server hostname (for example mail.example.com).

• Port — connection port (default 993 for IMAP over SSL).

• Use SSL — enable an encrypted connection.

• Authentication — choose how OptimiDoc signs in to the mailbox:

  • Login & password — classic mailbox credentials (Username + Password).

  • Google OAuth 2.0 or Microsoft 365 OAuth 2.0 — modern token-based access for providers that have retired basic authentication. These require a Client ID, Client Secret and Refresh Token obtained when authorising the application with the provider.

OptimiDoc periodically polls the mailbox, downloads message attachments and runs them through the workflow.

Best Practices

• Use 300 DPI as the default for business scanning — good OCR accuracy without excessive file sizes.

• Enable Duplex for feeder workflows so back-side content is never missed.

• Use Auto Colour for workflows that handle a mix of colour and monochrome originals.

• Lock the settings that must not vary (resolution, colour) and leave the rest unlocked for user flexibility.

• Prefer OAuth 2.0 for Google and Microsoft 365 mailboxes, since basic authentication is being withdrawn by those providers.

Related articles

• General Settings

• Parameters

• Output Options

• Scan Workflows Overview