How to Combine PDF Files into One File
Did you ever wonder how to combine PDF files into one file, we are going to learn just that in my post today. Many of you might already know how to do this, so this is for anyone who has never done this before.
Combining PDF files into a Single PDF Document
Let us learn what our pros and cons are of doing this task.
Pros
- Merging multiple PDFs into one file can help keep related documents organized and easy to access, especially when dealing with large volumes of information.
- Having a single file is more convenient for sharing, storing, and transferring documents compared to managing multiple individual files.
- Most PDF viewers allow you to search the entire content of a merged PDF file, making it easier to find specific information across multiple documents.
- It's more convenient to print a single combined PDF file than to print multiple individual files separately.
- Combined PDFs often have better navigation features, such as bookmarks and hyperlinks, allowing you to easily jump between different sections or documents within a single file.
Cons
- Combining multiple PDFs can result in a larger file size, which may slow down loading times or become challenging to share or store, especially if the combined file is very large.
- Once PDFs are merged, it can be more difficult to edit or modify individual components within the combined file.
- Some older or specialized PDF viewers or software may have difficulty opening or properly displaying very large or complex merged PDF files.
- Depending on the method used for merging, some metadata (e.g., author information, creation date, etc.) from the original files may be lost or altered in the combined PDF.
- If the order or structure of the combined PDF is important, merging multiple files may require additional effort to ensure proper sequencing and organization.
Overall, combining multiple PDF files into one can be beneficial for organization, portability, and ease of access, but it's essential to consider potential drawbacks, such as increased file size, editing complexity, and potential compatibility issues, especially when dealing with large or sensitive documents.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Combine Multiple PDF Files
Here's how you can do it
Step 1 Download and install PDF Shammsi Go to https://shammsi.com/downloads/ and download the version of PDF Shammsi suitable for your operating system (Windows, Mac, or Linux). Follow the on-screen instructions to install the software.
Step 2 Open PDF Shammsi After installing, launch the PDF Shammsi application.
Step 3 Add PDF files Click on the "Add Files" button or drag and drop the PDF files you want to combine into the central area of the PDF Shammsi window.
Step 4 Arrange the order (optional) If you want to change the order in which the PDFs will be merged, simply click and drag the files up or down in the list to rearrange them.
Step 5 Set options (optional) PDF Shammsi provides some optional settings you can adjust, such as setting a bookmark level, adding a cover page, or appending files instead of merging them.
Step 6 Merge the PDF files Once you've added all the PDF files and made any necessary adjustments, click the "Merge PDF" button in the toolbar or go to the "File" menu and select "Merge PDF."
Step 7 Save the combined PDF file "Save As" dialog box will appear. Navigate to the desired location, enter a filename for the combined PDF, and click "Save."
Step 8 Check the combined PDF After the merging process is complete, you can open the newly created combined PDF file to ensure that all the individual PDFs have been properly merged into a single document.
That's it! You've successfully combined multiple PDF files into one using PDF Shammsi. Keep in mind that while PDF Shammsi is a free tool, it may have some limitations or advertising components compared to paid PDF editing software.
Additionally, there are alternative tools available, both free and paid, that can also be used for merging PDF files, such as Adobe Acrobat, Preview (for Mac users), or online tools like iLovePDF or SmallPDF.
Final Thoughts
Here are some final thoughts on combining PDF files into one file
- Determine if combining the PDFs into one file makes sense for your specific use case. Is it for better organization, portability, or easier sharing? This will help you decide if the pros outweigh the potential cons.
- Merging multiple large PDF files can result in a very large combined file, which may become difficult to work with or share. Consider splitting the files into smaller logical batches if the combined file size becomes too unwieldy.
- If the order and structure of the combined PDF are important, take extra care when merging the files to ensure they are arranged correctly and any necessary bookmarks or navigation aids are in place.
- Depending on the tool you use, some metadata from the original PDF files (e.g., author, creation date, etc.) may be lost or altered in the merged file. If preserving this information is crucial, research tools that can retain metadata during the merging process.
- If you're combining sensitive or confidential PDFs, ensure that the merged file retains any necessary security settings, such as password protection or encryption.
- After combining the PDFs, thoroughly review the merged file to ensure that all pages are present, in the correct order, and that any hyperlinks, bookmarks, or other functionality works as expected.
- Before merging, consider keeping backup copies of the original individual PDF files in case you need to reference or revert to them later.
By keeping these points in mind and carefully evaluating your specific needs, you can make an informed decision about whether combining multiple PDF files into one is the best approach for your situation.
I hope this helps,
Jeff
Recent Comments
13
Great idea, Jeff, but I can't open the link. I tried various ways and tried to search on shammsi and tried 2 browsers. Do you have another name for this app?
I get 'site can't be reached.'
Teri
Thank you, Teri
I am sorry the link didn't work, I will try to find out if the website is up and running for you
Jeff
These are some great instructions, which are necessary if you plan on using PDFs. I am a loyal Adobe Creative user. Adobe has improved its professional version of PDF a lot over the last few years. It is so easy to combine PDF files by just dragging and dropping. I don't get as many issues as I did when they first started Adobe Professional.
Thanks for sharing, Jeff. I know many people will benefit from this post.
Nancy
Thank you, Nancy
I do appreciate you sharing how you use Adobe Creative. This will help other members that are not familiar with this.
Jeff
Damn useful stuff my friend. There have been times when I have so badly wanted to do this - now I can.
Good advice about back-ups - I back up everything Jeff, several times over. It's not unusual for me to turn up at a training session with 4 USB sticks - just in case- and each one is numbered. Better safe than sorry, especially 200 miles or more from the office.
Oh, and its on the cloud too.
I've copied this post. Great stuff.
Bux
Hello Dave
I am happy that you found this information useful, you are a smarty pants to save everything to be safe.
Jeff
Hello Dave
I was one of those that learned from my mistakes in the past. Other members hopefully will read this and start backing up their backups
Jeff
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Hi Jeff
I’ve combined PDFs using several PC and Mac apps.
Another advantage is that they can build a TOC from properly formatted headings and use them to reorder pages or sections/chapters.
Frank 🎸
Thank you for sharing, Frank
Jeff
You're welcome, Jeff. 😎