Abstract: An apparatus for scanning documents combines digitizing circuitry with a scanning platen to achieve precise selection of image areas on large documents. A vacuum system holds the document in place against a perforated scanning surface during registration and scanning. The assembly of scanning surface, vacuum chamber, and digitizing circuitry move as a unit beneath a fixed scanning apparatus. The apparatus further has a mechanical structure which allows the table assembly to rotate about a pivot axis toward an operator to reduce parallax error in mapping image areas.