Blank Pages in a Client Scan: Logging Them So They Aren't Read as Missing

Jane Doe scans her bank statement on both sides of each sheet. Each back comes through empty.

That's the case here: blank pages client documents can carry, where a file page in a client's scan or upload has nothing printed, written or stamped on it. In this method, the Preparer logs each blank page by its file page, by hand, and notes that it's blank, so the page count adds up and the Preparer can check that no entry is drafted from a blank page. Then the Preparer runs the drafting pass.

The plugin drafts; the Firm's preparer prepares; the Reviewer signs off. Every step here is one the Firm writes and keeps, in whatever systems the Firm already uses, and the Firm can adapt the document-handling steps; the Reviewer's sign-off on the whole file stays as it is.

This piece gives a blank-page log layout, a count line, a citation pattern, a client message, a marking table, a pre-review check, a Doe example and a line for the Firm's AI instructions. It states no rule about what a blank page means for the document.

Blank pages, blank amounts, absent pages and pages that can't be read

A zero or a blank amount on a page that prints other things is covered in zero and blank amounts in the AI pass.

Pages that never came in are covered in missing pages in a client document.

A page with something on it that can't be read is covered in a source page that can't be read.

What counts as a blank page, in this method

In this method, the Preparer logs a file page as blank when all of these are true:

• The Preparer has read the whole page.
• Nothing is printed, written or stamped on it.
• It shows no heading, page number, footer or mark of any kind.

If the Preparer sees something on the page but can't read it, it isn't logged as blank, and the Preparer follows the unreadable-page steps. If the Preparer can't tell whether anything is on the page, the Preparer logs it "Can't tell", and it stays open for the Reviewer's decision.

The blank-page log

In this method, the Preparer reads every file page and logs each blank or can't-tell page on the file index, by hand.

Under the log, the Preparer writes a count line by hand. A pattern the Firm can adapt:

"File pages in the scan: [count] = pages with content [count] + blank [count] + can't tell [count]"

The Preparer copies printed page numbers word for word and doesn't give a blank page a number from the pages around it.

In this method, the Preparer logs blank pages by file page, outside the printed-page count. Where printed pages may be absent, the Preparer follows the missing-pages steps linked above.

In this method, the Preparer keeps the scan as it came in, blank pages included. Any further document steps follow the Firm's own policy.

Citing by file page and printed page

In this method, the Firm's instructions ask each drafted entry to cite the document, file page and printed page or "none printed"; the Preparer checks each citation against its page by hand. A pattern the Firm can adapt:

"[document], file page [file page], printed page [printed page or none printed]"

A line for the Firm's AI instructions

In this method, the Firm adds a line, in its own words, to its instructions for the drafting pass on a scan with blank pages. A version to adapt:

"Blank pages: [document]. The blank-page log lists each file page logged blank or can't tell. Cite each entry by document, file page and printed page or none printed; the Preparer checks by hand."

The line is the Firm's wording, not a promise about what any drafting software does. The Preparer still checks each entry by hand.

Asking the client about a can't-tell page

In this method, the Preparer asks the client about each page logged "Can't tell". The Firm can adapt this message:

Hi Jane Doe, thanks for your scan of [document]. Our Preparer has logged [file pages] as blank. File page [file page] shows [plain note of what shows], and we can't tell whether anything is on it. Could you check that page in your copy and tell us what's on it? Thanks, [Preparer name] at [Firm]

Marking entries drafted from a scan with blank pages

In this method, the Preparer marks by hand, in the entry's note, every entry drafted from a scan with blank pages.

When the client answers

If the client says the page is blank in their copy, the Preparer quotes the answer on the log line and in each citing entry's note, marked "Client answer noted". Each page and entry stays open for the Reviewer's decision.

If the client says the page has content, the Preparer notes it and follows the Firm's unreadable-page steps; the page stays open for the Reviewer's decision. Each citing entry stays open for the Reviewer's decision.

If the client can't say or doesn't answer, the Preparer notes that on the log line. Each page and citing entry stays open for the Reviewer's decision; any further document steps follow the Firm's own policy.

The pre-review check

In this method, the Preparer reads the file against this check, then sends it to the Reviewer.

• The Preparer checks each scan with blank pages has a file-index log naming its author.
• The Preparer checks each blank page's file-page log names its printed page as "None printed".
• The Preparer checks each "Can't tell" note describes what shows and names the client question.
• The Preparer checks the count: file pages equal pages with content, blank pages and can't-tell pages.
• The Preparer has followed the missing-pages steps linked above where printed pages may be absent.
• The Preparer checks the Firm's instructions include each scan's blank-pages line.
• The Preparer checks each entry cites document, file page and printed page or "none printed", with the Preparer's mark, set by hand.

Who logs and who decides

The Firm names people for the document-handling steps; the Reviewer decides on entries and on each page logged "Can't tell", and signs off.

A mark or a log line tells the Reviewer where to look. It isn't a sign-off and doesn't stand in for one. The Reviewer sees every marked entry and the log and decides what happens with each entry, and the Reviewer signs off on the whole file, blank-page log included. No file is done without the Reviewer's sign-off.

A Doe example

The names and file below are made up for illustration.

Jane Doe is a synthetic client of the Firm. Alex Doe is the Preparer and Pat Doe is the Reviewer. Jane scans her Doe Bank statement, including the fronts and backs.

Alex reads every file page. The printed pages carry page numbers, and the footer prints the page total. Each back is empty except the last, which shows faint grey shading along an edge; Alex can't tell whether anything is on it.

Alex logs each empty back by file page as "Blank", with "None printed", and the shaded back "Can't tell", with a note of the shading. Alex notes that the printed pages carry every page number up to the footer's total. Alex's count line adds up: the file pages are the pages with content (the printed fronts), the blank backs and the shaded back, with nothing left over.

Alex adds the blank-pages line to the Firm's instructions and runs the drafting pass. Alex checks each citation against its page by hand. All cite printed pages; Alex marks each "Cited by file page", and each entry stays open for the Reviewer's decision.

Alex sends Jane the message and logs it. Jane says the back of her last sheet is blank in her copy. Alex quotes her answer on the log; the shaded back stays open for the Reviewer's decision.

Alex runs the pre-review check and sends the file to Pat. Pat reviews the marked entries and the log, decides on the shaded back and on each entry, and signs off on the whole file.

Where TracePrep fits

We've built a TracePrep plugin that drafts these steps in your Firm's workflow, while your preparer decides and your Reviewer signs off. Join the waitlist and we'll tell you when plugin access opens.

Get on the list for plugin access

This is general information, not tax or legal advice. In TracePrep's workflow, the plugin drafts, the Firm's preparer prepares, and the Firm's Reviewer signs off. Access to the plugin is by waitlist. Keep client data inside the systems your Firm has approved.