Fix blurry, cropped, or incomplete receipt images

An unreadable receipt should be repaired at the source while the purchase can still be traced. The right fix may be a new photograph, a supplier PDF, or a replacement copy. Increasing the zoom on a blurred image does not restore missing detail, and typing a total into the description does not replace the original evidence.

Start by identifying the failure. Is the image out of focus, too dark, partly missing, or already faded on paper? Each problem needs a different response. Keeping that diagnosis specific makes the customer request easier to understand and reduces repeated uploads that still do not solve the issue.

Use a legibility checklist

Read the date, supplier, relevant items, final total, and printed tax information. Check the downloaded original as well as the gallery preview. A preview is designed for browsing; the source document is the evidence the accountant reviews.

Ask for the exact missing information

A useful request says, “The tax and total lines at the bottom are cut off; please retake the whole receipt.” An unhelpful request says only, “This receipt is bad.” Tell the customer what cannot be read and what document would resolve the issue.

For a two-page supplier invoice, specify that page two is missing rather than requesting another copy of page one. If the customer no longer has the original, ask them to contact the supplier or identify another source through the accountant's existing evidence process.

Keep the replacement relationship clear

When a better source becomes available, explain which file it replaces. Do not let an unreadable image and a corrected PDF appear to be two different purchases. The accountant can record a private note or review status, but customer document changes and deletion remain the customer's actions.

Before removing a duplicate source, discuss any evidence that should be retained. The workflow should improve readability without obscuring why a document was replaced. Never edit a printed date, supplier number, or amount to make the file match a spreadsheet.

Prevent repeat problems

Capture paper promptly, use even lighting, and inspect the fine print before leaving the document behind. Save the original supplier PDF when it exists. A short sample exercise at onboarding can show clients what “readable” means without turning every upload into a support conversation.

Use the photo guide and PDF workflow for the two common capture paths. The private-note guide explains how accountants track unresolved questions without changing customer files.