Merge PDF files in the right order
Job applications, grant submissions and expense claims often have to be sent as a single file. To merge PDF documents here, add them, arrange them and click once. The pages are copied as they are, keeping their size, orientation, text and images, so the merged file looks exactly like the originals one after another.
Checks before you merge
Every file is opened as soon as you add it. The list shows its page count, and the total appears next to the button. A file that cannot be read is marked in red with the reason. The two usual reasons are a damaged PDF and a password-protected one. Merging only starts when every file in the list can be used.
What is kept
| Kept | Not carried over |
|---|---|
| Page content, size and rotation | Bookmarks (outlines) |
| Fonts and images, without re-compression | Interactive form fields (they may show their filled-in values but stop being editable) |
| Links between pages of the same original file | Document properties such as title and author |
The merged file starts with clean document properties. Personal details from the originals, such as author names or editing software, are not copied into it.
Why encrypted PDFs are refused
A password-protected PDF is encrypted, and copying its pages into a new file would remove that protection. Rather than silently producing an unprotected copy, the tool asks you to remove the password in the application that created the file first.
Tips for a tidy result
- Fix orientation first: rotate sideways pages before merging, so the combined file is right from the start.
- Name files in order: files are listed in the order you add them; numbering them (01, 02…) makes the order obvious.
- Check the total: the page count next to the button should match what you expect before you merge.
Large files
All files are combined in your browser's memory, so the practical limit depends on your device. Merging dozens of typical documents is no problem. Very large scans (hundreds of megabytes) may be slow on phones.
To split a combined file again, use Split PDF. To fix sideways scans before merging, use Rotate PDF. To add photos as pages, convert them with JPG to PDF first.