Opening an SCAN File

The SCAN file type is primarily associated with Specialized Apps.

SCAN	File extension: SCAN
	File type:	data file

What is an SCAN file?

SCAN files mostly belong to Specialized Apps.

The SCAN file is not a single format but a label used for many scanning outputs. It can store data from different sources and processes. For example, some files use the TIFF format to hold medical document scans as seen in systems like Soarian Client. Others are produced by Windows scanning tools to save document images.

Other common cases include:

Security Scans: Files may be ZIP compressed archives with web application security scan results from tools like HPE Security Fortify SCA. More details are available at Micro Focus.
Disk and 3D Scans: Some SCAN files contain hard drive images or 3D scanner data generated by tools from companies such as Hitachi or Leica.
Scientific Instruments: There are also files holding data from mass spectrometry, UV-Vis spectrometers, or 3D medical scans used for research and analysis.
File Listings: A few instances are simply lists of files, such as those generated on a Mac.

Each file’s functionality depends on its source. To open or view a SCAN file, you must use the proper tool: an image viewer for TIFF-based scans, an unzip utility for compressed archives, or specialized software provided by the instrument vendor.

FilExt.com note: Advanced users may inspect the file header to determine the internal structure and decide which application is required.

How do you open SCAN files?

You need a suitable software like Specialized Apps to open an SCAN file. Without proper software you will receive a Windows message "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android alert. If you cannot open your SCAN file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a SCAN file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online SCAN Text Viewer

Choose your .scan file to analyze

or drag and drop it here

Online File Viewer

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Programs that open and convert SCAN files:

Specialized Apps
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. SCAN files are often referred to as Specialized Apps data files because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
Thunderscan Image File

SCAN format details:

If you can determine the file format, the associated program can also be determined. Each file format has a unique extension and almost always a unique signature. For example, Microsoft Word documents have the extension .docx and the signature (usually the first 3 characters in this file) PK. Nonetheless, different programs can utilize the same file extension to represent distinct file formats. Double-clicking on the file often results in an error when opening. Exact knowledge of the format is therefore important in order to solve problems occurring in files. Our evaluation of the SCAN files looks like this:

The file type with the extension 'SCAN' includes various formats for various programs. The two most common formats are as follows:

30% of all SCAN files use the popular TIFF file format. TIFF is short for Tagged Image File Format. It stores raster graphics images that support color depths from 1 to 24-bit, lossy and lossless compression and multiple layers and pages. These files contain neither text nor words, but only data. The file size is in the range of 27 KB to 340 KB. The file type was created recently. Files like these are sometimes connected to notes, office and patient.
10% of all SCAN files use the same file format, which can be identified by the letters "FwSI]" at the beginning. If you open these files in a text editor, you will see only illegible characters. A typical file size is 1 MB. Several words can almost always be found in the files, e.g. FwSI].

All other SCAN files (60%) have no consistent format, often e.g. ZIP, SCV and FORM. Sometimes used for wiff, swath, data or objc. Drag & drop your file here to see the file format and a preview of your SCAN file!

Technical Data for SCAN File Extension

File classification:

Data

Related files:

raw, scanner, scandata, cscan, wiff, scanproj, pdf, fscan, lastscan, jpg, fast, scad, scn, svy, code, full, xml, img, jpeg, avg, check, tiff, zip, dcm, dat, 3ds

The following listing is compiled from the database produced by the 'Associate This!' program, selected data from the main FILExt database and file extension information submitted by users.

ProgramID: NavScanFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\NORTON~1\Navw32.exe /TASK:%1

ProgramID: NavScanFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Norton SystemWorks\Norton AntiVirus\scnhndlr.exe %1

an scan data file is a special file format and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with SCAN files

Associate the SCAN file extension with the correct application.
Update your software that should actually open data files. Because only the current version supports the latest SCAN file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the manufacturer website after an available Specialized Apps update.
To make sure that your SCAN file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
Click here to open your .SCAN file online - secure, fast, and no downloads needed.