A document scanning system includes a scan apparatus adapted to scan a document and to create and store electronic raw data representing the scanned document. An input system permits a user to input settings for the scanned document. A start mechanism causes the scan apparatus to start a scan process. A a processing unit is adapted to process the raw data and to create a formatted document file representing the scanned document. The input system is adapted to permit the user to input format settings for a document after the start mechanism has started the scan process for that document, and the processing unit is adapted to process the raw data in accordance with the format settings.