How to merge several PDF files into one document
The scanner saved every page as a separate file. Your ID card is in two PDFs – front and back. An application needs a form, CV, diploma and certificates, but the upload field accepts only one document. In all of these cases the answer is the same: merge several PDF files into one. It takes less than a minute and needs no software.
Merging in three steps
- Open Merge PDF and select all files at once (hold Ctrl while clicking, or drop them into the box).
- Put them in order by dragging. The leftmost file comes first in the new document. First-page thumbnails help you recognise each file.
- Click "Merge PDF" – the merged document downloads right away.
Merging happens in your browser. Files are not uploaded anywhere, so it is safe for personal documents, contracts and medical records.
Getting the order right
Most of the time goes into arranging files. Two simple tricks:
- Number your files before selecting them: 01-form.pdf, 02-cv.pdf, 03-diploma.pdf. Selected together, they appear in that order.
- Add files one by one with the "Add more" button, in the order they should appear.
If you notice a page in the wrong place after merging, you don't have to start over – reorder individual pages with Organize PDF.
Common situations
Scanned pages in separate files
Many scanners and apps save each page separately. Select all files, check the order on the thumbnails and merge. If some pages are upside down, fix them afterwards with Rotate PDF.
Both sides of an ID card in one document
If you photographed the sides with your phone it is even easier: JPG to PDF creates one PDF straight from several pictures, so no merging is needed.
Documents for an application or tender
Merge all attachments in the required order, then add page numbers with Page numbers so reviewers can find each document easily.
The merged file is too large
When you merge several scanned documents, the file can easily exceed a portal or email limit. Run it through Compress PDF – scanned documents usually shrink by more than half.
Is quality lost?
No. Pages are copied into the new document without re-encoding: text stays searchable, images keep their resolution and links on pages still work. Only bookmarks (the outline in a reader's side panel) from individual files are not carried over.
What about protected PDFs?
A password-locked PDF cannot be merged until it is unlocked. If you know the password, remove it with Unlock PDF, then merge the files.
In short
Select the files, drag them into order and click the button – that's all. Numbering files in advance saves the most time, and compressing after merging solves the "file too large" problem.