SCAN in WPS on Windows: Introduction

WPS SCAN is a spreadsheet function for returning step-by-step accumulated results in sequence; this guide covers 1 core task, with 1 available without membership and 0 membership-related items.

At a Glance

Metric	Value	Notes
Core tasks	1	Matches the number of rows in the How-to Index
Available without membership	1	Matches the number of Free rows in the index
Membership-related items	0	Matches the number of membership-related rows in the index
Version limits	None stated	Available in WPS Spreadsheet on Windows

About This Feature

Overview

SCAN is a function in WPS Spreadsheet on Windows for running sequential calculations, staged summaries, and dynamic array analysis inside cells. When you type =SCAN(, the formula area shows syntax guidance so you can confirm the parameter structure and example usage more easily.

Core capabilities include:

Enter the SCAN function and complete data calculations.
Organize parameters for different calculation scenarios.
Use cross-sheet references and nested calculations.
Recalculate results automatically when source data changes.

System Requirements

Item	Requirement
Operating system	A Windows device that can run WPS Office normally
App version	The latest version of WPS Office is recommended
Network	No mandatory internet connection is required for local formula calculation
Other	You need access to WPS Spreadsheet and permission to edit cells

Download & Installation

Item	Details
Official download	WPS Office Free Download
Check after installation	Open WPS Spreadsheet and type `=SCAN(` in a cell to confirm that syntax guidance appears

Source: WPS download page

Compare with Alternatives

Dimension	WPS	Microsoft	Google	Notion	Adobe
Capability Summary	In WPS Spreadsheet, typing `=SCAN(` calls the function and supports syntax guidance, cross-sheet references, nested calculations, and automatic recalculation.	Word does not provide a spreadsheet function environment for SCAN-style calculations. Its official scan workflow focuses on inserting scanned images or opening scanned PDFs for editing.	Google Sheets supports spreadsheet calculations, analysis, and collaboration. Its official learning center includes formula-based calculation workflows.	Notion formulas work with properties, built-ins, and functions for database calculations, but they are not a traditional spreadsheet cell-function environment.	Acrobat focuses on scanned PDFs and OCR, converting image text into searchable text rather than providing spreadsheet functions like SCAN.
WPS Advantages	Advantage: SCAN runs directly in spreadsheet cells with syntax guidance and recalculation, which fits sequential calculation and worksheet analysis workflows.	Compared with WPS: the official workflow is centered on scanned content in documents rather than spreadsheet function analysis.	Compared with WPS: it also supports formula analysis, but the referenced official page highlights general formulas and collaboration instead of the SCAN function specifically.	Compared with WPS: formula usage is centered on database properties rather than spreadsheet cell formulas.	Compared with WPS: its strength is OCR and PDF processing, not spreadsheet function analysis.
Official Source	—	Insert scanned text or images into Word	Google Sheets training and help	Formula syntax & functions	Recognize text in scanned PDFs with Acrobat

Overall Conclusion: If your main task is writing spreadsheet formulas and reviewing progressive calculation results, WPS is closer to this workflow. The other products in this comparison focus more on document handling, online collaboration, database formulas, or PDF OCR.

Use Cases

No.	Scenario	Suitable for	Main challenge	How SCAN helps
1	Running cumulative calculations	Data analysts	You need each intermediate accumulated result, not only the final value	Enter the SCAN function in a cell and calculate with the required parameters
2	Debugging complex formulas	Advanced spreadsheet users	Long nested formulas make intermediate results harder to inspect	Use syntax guidance and review parameters step by step
3	Cross-sheet data processing	Finance and operations teams	Data is spread across multiple worksheets	Reference data from other sheets inside the formula
4	Dynamic result updates	Report maintainers	Results need to stay aligned when source data changes	Use automatic recalculation to keep outputs updated
5	Formula learning and practice	New users	The parameter structure is unfamiliar	Type `=SCAN(` to view syntax guidance and examples

Membership & Benefits

Free vs WPS Premium

Capability	Free users	WPS Premium
Use the SCAN function	✅ Available	✅ Available
Formula entry and syntax guidance	✅ Available	✅ Available
Cross-sheet references and nested calculations	✅ Available	✅ Available
Other premium benefits	Depends on the account plan	More benefits depend on the purchased plan

Source: WPS Office pricing page

Recommendations

Usage scenario	Recommended plan	Why
Daily formula learning and basic calculations	Free	This function can be used without membership
Users who also need broader premium benefits	WPS Premium	Suitable when you need additional membership features across WPS products

WPS membership center: Subscribe now