Several PDFs, one file
Application forms, tax returns and insurance claims often ask for a single PDF, while the papers you have are separate files: a filled-in form, a scanned ID, bank statements, a letter written in Word. Combining them takes three steps:
- Add all the files to the list: PDFs, scans and photos, Word, Excel or PowerPoint documents.
- Put them in order by dragging them, with the arrow buttons, or with Sort by name.
- Click Merge and download the combined PDF.
The pages of each PDF are copied as they are, so text stays sharp and selectable, and form fields that were filled in stay filled in. When two forms use the same field names, the fields are renamed so both keep their own answers.
Only the pages you need
Statements and reports often have pages nobody needs to see, such as terms and conditions or
blank backs of pages. Under More options, write the file's number in the list and the pages to
keep: 2: 1-3 keeps the first three pages of the second file, and 1: 1; 4: 2- keeps the first
page of file 1 and everything from page 2 of file 4. The result table lists how many pages came
from each file.
Finding your way in the combined file
Each file gets a bookmark with its name, so a reader can jump straight to the bank statement or the letter from the side panel of their PDF reader. Name your files clearly before adding them ("Passport scan", "Payslip March") and the bookmarks read well too.
Things to check
- A PDF that needs a password, or that its author protected against changes, is left out, and the notes say which one: remove the protection first.
- The bookmarks of the original files are replaced by one bookmark per file.
- Links that jump to another page inside one of the PDFs may no longer work.
More about what this tool reads and writes: Merge PDF.