Soft copy

Updated: 07/06/2021 by Computer Hope
soft copy

A soft copy is a digital reproduction of a physical document. For example, if you scanned a tax form into your computer, you would be creating a soft copy of it. The most common method of displaying a soft copy uses a computer monitor or another display, such as a smartphone screen.

How do I create a soft copy?

If it's a text document, you can type it out, but the most common way uses a scanner.

What's the difference between a hard copy and a soft copy?

A hard copy is physical, such as a tax form, printed document, or textbook. A soft copy is a digital version of these media that is kept on a storage device.

What is a soft copy output device?

Because a soft copy is digital, it must be displayed on a device with a screen. For example, your computer monitor and screen on your smartphone can both display a soft copy.

Hard copy, Monitor, Output, Paperless, Smartphone, Software terms, Word processor terms