How to Combine PDF Files into One File

byJeffBrown4

1.2K followers

6 months ago

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

1. Merging multiple PDFs into one file can help keep related documents organized and easy to access, especially when dealing with large volumes of information.
2. Having a single file is more convenient for sharing, storing, and transferring documents compared to managing multiple individual files.
3. 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.
4. It's more convenient to print a single combined PDF file than to print multiple individual files separately.
5. 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

1. 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.
2. Once PDFs are merged, it can be more difficult to edit or modify individual components within the combined file.
3. Some older or specialized PDF viewers or software may have difficulty opening or properly displaying very large or complex merged PDF files.
4. 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.
5. 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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. If you're combining sensitive or confidential PDFs, ensure that the merged file retains any necessary security settings, such as password protection or encryption.
6. 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.
7. 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