# How to Handle Blank and Instruction Pages

Source: PaperSurvey.io Help Center
URL: https://www.papersurvey.io/help/recognition/article/ignore-blank-pages-from-scanned-documents

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When scanning batches of paper surveys, your documents often include pages that should not be processed, such as blank backs, cover sheets, or instruction pages. PaperSurvey provides both automatic blank-page detection and a manual IGNORE marker system so you can keep your scanning workflow efficient without generating unnecessary errors.

## Automatic blank page detection

The system automatically removes truly blank pages during processing. Pages with visible marks or notes are kept and flagged for review to ensure no data is accidentally lost.

Pages are kept (rather than discarded) when they contain:

- Handwritten notes or marks
- Stray pen marks or scribbles
- Coffee stains or shadows
- Poor scan quality creating artifacts

Skipped pages appear in the "Skipped" count on your survey's Uploads page and do not count towards your processed pages. If a real page was skipped because the scan came out too light, rescan it with a darker scanner setting and upload it again.

## Including instruction or cover pages

Many surveys include additional pages such as cover sheets with study information, instruction pages for participants, consent forms, or reference materials. You can include these pages in your scans without triggering processing errors by using the IGNORE marker system.

## How to mark pages to ignore

### Method 1: Add the IGNORE QR code manually

Add this QR code to any page you want to exclude from processing:

[Image: qr code]

**Placement options:**
- Bottom-right corner (recommended)
- Top-left corner

When the system detects this QR code, the page is automatically skipped without generating errors.

### Example with IGNORE code
[Image: Cover page with QR code]

### Method 2: Add a cover page in settings

For a cover page that prints with every copy of your survey:

1. Go to Survey Settings and find the Cover Page section
2. Click "Upload Cover Page PDF" and select your PDF file
3. Keep the "Include QR code" option enabled (it is on by default)
4. The system automatically adds the IGNORE code

If you prefer not to upload a PDF, enable "Use text instead" to write the cover page contents directly. The text cover prints as the first page without corner marks or footers, and the IGNORE code is added the same way.

[Image: Automatic cover page generation]

This approach ensures consistent formatting across all copies, places the IGNORE code automatically, excludes cover pages from processing, and eliminates the need for manual QR code placement.

## Common issues and solutions

**Instruction pages generating errors:** Add the IGNORE QR code before scanning.

**Mixed single/double-sided scanning:** IGNORE codes help manage blank reverse sides automatically.

Test your setup with a small batch first, ensure QR codes are clearly visible after printing, and train staff on which pages should have IGNORE codes. This system gives you complete control over which pages are processed while maintaining efficient batch scanning workflows.

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Need more? The complete PaperSurvey.io help center and blog is available as a single document at https://www.papersurvey.io/llms-full.txt.