Canon PIXMA MP800R: Using MP Navigator EX for Scanning and Image Editing

Canon PIXMA MP800R: Using MP Navigator EX for Scanning and Image EditingThe Canon PIXMA MP800R is a versatile all‑in‑one inkjet printer popular for home and small office use. Paired with Canon’s MP Navigator EX software, it becomes a capable tool for scanning, simple image editing, and document management. This article walks through installing MP Navigator EX, configuring scanning settings for different tasks, basic image-editing workflows, saving and organizing your scans, troubleshooting common issues, and tips to get the best results from the PIXMA MP800R.

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What is MP Navigator EX?

MP Navigator EX is Canon’s bundled utility for scanning, organizing, and performing basic edits on images and documents scanned with compatible Canon multifunction printers. It provides a simple user interface for:

• Scanning documents and photos (single page, multipage PDF, JPEG, TIFF)
• Cropping, rotating, and adjusting color/brightness for images
• Optical character recognition (OCR) to convert scanned text into editable text (available in supported versions)
• Quick access to saving, printing, and emailing scans

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Installation and setup

1. System requirements
   • Ensure your operating system is supported by the MP Navigator EX version you are installing. Older Canon support may provide installers for Windows (XP through Windows ⁄₁₁ — check Canon’s site) and macOS (older versions). If you use a very recent OS, verify compatibility or use generic scanning apps as a fallback.
2. Download
   • Obtain the correct MP Navigator EX installer from Canon’s official support site or from the original software disc that came with the MP800R. Choose the version matching your OS and the PIXMA MP800R model.
3. Install
   • Run the installer and follow prompts. If prompted to install device drivers, accept and install them — the scanner won’t work without drivers.
4. Connect the printer
   • Connect via USB or configure the device on your local network if the MP800R supports network scanning in your setup. For USB, use a direct connection to the computer (avoid unpowered hubs). For network scanning, ensure both printer and computer are on the same LAN and that the printer’s network settings are correct.
5. Test
   • Launch MP Navigator EX and perform a preview scan to confirm the scanner is detected and working.

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Scanning basics

MP Navigator EX provides several scan modes typically presented as buttons or menu items:

• Image Scan (for photos)
• Document Scan (for text documents)
• OCR (if available)
• Custom scan settings (user presets)

Key steps for a reliable scan:

1. Clean the glass platen to avoid dust marks.
2. Place the document or photo face-down, aligned to the platen corner guides.
3. Choose the appropriate scan mode:
   • Use Image Scan for photos and images; choose 300–600 dpi for photos depending on output size/quality.
   • Use Document Scan for text; 200–300 dpi is usually enough for readable text and OCR.
4. Set file format:
   • JPEG for photos (smaller files, lossy compression).
   • TIFF for high-quality archival photos (lossless, larger files).
   • PDF for documents or multipage scans.
5. Use color settings:
   • Color for photos and color documents.
   • Grayscale for black-and-white photos and older printed materials.
   • Black & White (bi-tonal) for high-contrast text documents when file size is a priority.

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Advanced scan settings and tips

• Resolution (DPI): Higher dpi increases detail but also file size. For printing photos at original size, 300 dpi is a good baseline; for enlargements use 600 dpi or higher. For OCR/text, 200–300 dpi is adequate.
• File Size Management: Reduce resolution, switch to grayscale, or use JPEG quality settings to shrink file size.
• Multi-page PDFs: Use the Document Scan mode and select the option to combine pages into a single PDF.
• Batch scanning: If scanning multiple photos of similar size, use the automatic document feeder (if supported) or scan them as a group and slice in software.
• Image enhancement features: Use automatic color correction, dust removal (if available), and auto-cropping carefully — automatic changes can sometimes alter intended colors or crop details.

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Basic image editing inside MP Navigator EX

MP Navigator EX includes simple editing tools suitable for quick adjustments:

• Crop: Remove unwanted borders or scan bed artifacts.
• Rotate/Flip: Straighten orientation.
• Brightness/Contrast: Tweak exposure and contrast for faded or dark scans.
• Color adjustments: Adjust saturation or color balance for more accurate reproduction.
• Red-eye reduction: Useful for portrait photos taken with flash (if supported in your version).

Workflow example — scanning a photo for printing:

1. Select Image Scan and choose 300–600 dpi.
2. Preview and crop tightly to the photo edges.
3. Scan to TIFF or high-quality JPEG.
4. Open the scanned file in MP Navigator EX’s editor:
   • Adjust brightness/contrast and color balance.
   • Use sharpening sparingly if needed.
   • Save the edited version with a new filename to preserve the original scan.

For more sophisticated edits (clone/heal to remove scratches, advanced color correction, layers), open the scan in a dedicated editor such as Adobe Photoshop, Affinity Photo, or GIMP.

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OCR and editable documents

If your MP Navigator EX version includes OCR, you can convert scanned pages into editable text documents:

1. Use Document Scan with 300 dpi and a clean, high-contrast original for best results.
2. Choose the OCR option and select the output format (plain text, RTF, or Word-compatible formats depending on software integration).
3. Proofread the output — OCR accuracy varies with font, scan quality, and language.

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Saving, organizing, and exporting scans

• Naming conventions: Use a consistent filename pattern (e.g., YYYYMMDD_subject_version) to make finding scans easier.
• File formats: Keep masters in lossless formats (TIFF) and export working versions as JPEG or PDF for sharing.
• Folders and backups: Organize by project, date, or document type and back up important scans to cloud storage or external drives.
• Metadata: If your workflow requires searchable metadata, add tags and descriptions after saving or in a DAM (digital asset management) tool.

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Troubleshooting common issues

• Scanner not detected:
  • Confirm USB cable and port, reinstall drivers, restart the computer, and ensure MP Navigator EX is the correct version for your OS.
• Low-quality scans (blurry or banding):
  • Clean the glass, check for firmware updates, try different USB ports/cables, and ensure no background processes are interfering.
• Colors look wrong:
  • Disable aggressive automatic color correction, check scanner color-profile settings, and calibrate your monitor if color accuracy is important.
• OCR inaccuracies:
  • Increase dpi to 300–600, clean the original document, and adjust contrast before scanning.

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Tips for long-term care and best results

• Keep the scanner glass and lid clean to avoid dust and streaks.
• Store original photos flat and away from moisture or direct sunlight.
• Use calibration targets or test scans periodically if color-critical work is needed.
• If your OS is much newer than the MP Navigator EX release, consider using your system’s built-in scanning tools or third-party scanning utilities (many support basic TWAIN/WIA or ICA drivers) if Canon no longer supplies compatible MP Navigator EX installers.

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When MP Navigator EX is no longer supported

The PIXMA MP800R is an older model, and Canon’s official software support may be limited on modern operating systems. If MP Navigator EX won’t install or work:

• Use the OS-native scanner apps:
  • Windows: Windows Fax and Scan or the built-in “Scan” app.
  • macOS: Image Capture or Preview.
• Use third-party scanning software that supports TWAIN or WIA/ICA drivers (e.g., NAPS2, VueScan).
• Check community forums for user-contributed drivers or workarounds specific to the MP800R.

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Summary

Canon’s MP Navigator EX paired with the PIXMA MP800R provides an accessible workflow for scanning photos and documents and performing basic image edits. For best results: keep the glass clean, choose appropriate dpi and file formats, use the MP Navigator EX editing tools for quick fixes, and move to more advanced software when precise control is needed. If MP Navigator EX compatibility issues arise on newer systems, built-in OS tools or third-party scanning software are reliable alternatives.