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How to Add Page Numbers in PDF File With or Without Adobe Acrobat?

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Published By Ashwani Tiwari
Aswin Vijayan
Approved By Aswin Vijayan
Published On December 13th, 2022
Reading Time 6 Minutes Reading
Category PDF Updates

Having multiple Adobe PDF documents with a large number of pages? Unable to handle it properly? Want to arrange it in a simple and organized way? No need to worry! You have reached the right place. Here, we have explained how to add page numbers in PDF file.

There are multiple users who have this query because the PDF file without the bates number is incomplete. However, bates numbering or stamping in a PDF document is the smartest way of inserting a unique identification number on all pages of a PDF file. After adding page numbers to PDF files, the management of PDF documents becomes easier. It is clear that inserting bates numbers is really beneficial so, now the most obvious question is how to add serial numbers to PDF file. There is a number of methods available that one can try to add page numbers in PDF file.

But, going for the perfect solution for the same is always a difficult task. Therefore, to make the choice easier, some best possible ways of doing the same are discussed in this blog. But before it, let us know, how this will help to organize the PDF documents in a fair manner.

Advantages of Page Numbering to PDF Files

Similar to other documents, PDF files also need to be managed in an organized manner. Placing page numbers on a PDF document provides many advantages to it. They are listed below:

  • Bates stamping in PDF sorts the pages in it sequentially.
  • It will become easy for the reader to keep track of their reading of a PDF file.
  • Searching for any specific information becomes easy with page numbers.

These are some advantages due to which the users like you to include numbers of every page in a PDF document. Now we move on to learn  and various methods to perform this task.

How to Add Page Numbers in Adobe Acrobat PDF Documents?

Follow the stepwise instruction mentioned below to add page numbers in PDF file:

  1. To begin the process, open Adobe Acrobat and desired PDF file in it to add page numbers.
  2. After that, navigate to the Tools >> Pages option.
  3. Then, go for the Header and Footer options in the Pages section. Click Add header and footer option.
  4. Now, click on the Font Name from the drop-down list and select the desired font name from the list.
  5. After that, click on the Font Size from the drop-down menu and choose the font size for the bates numbering in PDF files.
  6. Next, you need to check the proper location to add the page number in the Header & Footer text box.
  7. Then, click on the Insert page number button and Adobe Acrobat will add page numbers to the PDF.
  8. A preview of all formatting is provided in the preview window. If you are sure about your formatting, click on the OK button.

Limitation: It requires Adobe Acrobat installation (full version) on the local machine to add page numbers in Adobe Acrobat PDF files. In addition, it is unable to put page numbers in encrypted PDF files/ restricted PDF files without a password.

How to Add Page Numbers in PDF File Without Adobe Acrobat?

  • Using Microsoft Word

Note: Microsoft Word will add page numbers automatically in a header, footer, or side margin of each page automatically as per your choice.

  • To go with this method, you need to first convert PDF to Word with help of some free online application or any free online software.
  • After converting PDF to Word, you need to open the desired file in Microsoft Word. After that, go to the Insert tab and click on the Page Number option.
  • Then, you can select the desired style either it is top of the Page, the Bottom of the Page, or the Page Margin menu, based on your need.
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  • When the adding page number task process is completed successfully, the page number will appear displayed on each page of the file.
  • Now, just you need to press the Esc key and lock it.

Limitations to Put Page Numbers in PDF Documents via MS Word

  1. One cannot add bates number directly in a PDF file.
  2. Chances of modification in formatting during PDF to Word conversion.
  3. The method has various phases that make it, time-consuming.

Read more: Remove Owner Password From PDF (Without Needing The Password)

The Flawless Way to Add Page Numbers in PDF File

If a user is looking for a solution without any flaws or limitations, then try PDF Bates Number Software once. It is one such application that lets users add bates numbering to PDF documents easily. For example, location, font, size, and style of page numbers.

The application does not require any extra installation on the local machine for numbering pages in a PDF file. A user can install and run this tool on any Windows OS version to know how to insert numbers in PDF pages. Also, if you are looking for a solution on how to add page numbers in Adobe Acrobat PDFs then, this application is the perfect solution to your problem. As it has an in-built Print function that allows you to directly print page numbers in PDF files.

Steps to Insert Page Numbers into PDF Documents  

Step 1: Download and Run the application and click on Add File(s)/Add Folder(s) button.

add page numbers in pdf file

Step 2: After adding PDF files you can provide the ‘Document open’ password if the file has user-level security. Restricted PDFs DON’T require owner passwords. Choose to print the output PDFs by selecting the ‘Print’ radio button and change the destination path for saving output PDF documents by clicking on ‘Change’.  Also, you can choose ‘Remove Encryption From PDF File(s)’. Click on Next.

change destinaton to save or print pdf files

Step 3: Here you can select the format for page number/ bates number for pages only (01, 02, 03, 04, 05,……so on) or for the combination of files-pages (01-01, 01-02, 01-03…..02-01, 02-02, 02-03…..). Click on Next.

enter the details for bates numbering

Step 4: Here you can provide additional settings. Click on Next.

Step 5: Watch the preview along with the summary of the bates format settings. Then, click on ‘Generate’ to add page numbers in PDF file, if satisfied with the preview.

add page numbers in pdf file

Conclusion

Whenever a large number of pages in a PDF file are used by the user, he or she thinks of managing it in an efficient and systematic manner. Now, the best way of doing the same is to add page numbers in PDF files or print page numbers in PDF documents. To do it in a simple way, we have explained some methods with the guide to add page numbers in Adobe Acrobat PDF files. Explore and select the best one.

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