A beginner or a pro using a PDF editor has to know the basics of combining PDF files to create a digital reading file, and is helpful in all levels of work—a student project, research paper, draft policies, and more.
While macOS has high-powered, built-in pdf tools to do the job, Windows users will have to use third-party pdf editing software.
Forbes Advisor India has prepared a guide to help you combine multiple files into one PDF file using a free online PDF editing tool as well as downloadable PDF editing software.
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What Is Meant By Combining PDF Files? How Is It Useful?
A pdf is the most preferred digital format used to combine your multiple files into one. Most PDF editors also allow you to combine files in different formats into a single PDF. It is because a pdf keeps texts and graphics intact to lessen further modification (unlike Word document), you need to merge your files to make it fit for digital reading, final design, or before it goes for printing.
Merge pdf files, or combine pdf files, is a must-have editing feature in any pdf editing software. There are two ways of combining pdf files that are downloadable PDF editing software, and websites that help you combine pdf files online for free.
Why Choose a PDF Editor To Combine PDF Files
There may be levels of editing required after combining multiple files into one pdf file. While free websites can help you merge your files, or even rearrange pages, you will require a PDF editor for further editing like annotating PDF to add suggestions as comments, change fonts, shapes, and even split, delete, rotate, add, or organize pages.
Similarly, there are many benefits of using a PDF editor for flexible reading views, turn pages, and even protecting your file with passwords from copying, or further modifications. Remember pdf editor also allows you to combine files in different formats into a single PDF. These editors are fit for users who are reluctant to share their files with free third-party apps online.
Remember, most pdf editing software—like Wondershare PDFElement, Nitro PDF, PDF Expert, PDF-XChange Editor, EaseUS—allow users to combine pdf files (along with other pdf editing features) as part of their premium plans, or free with limited features.
How To Use PDF Editor to Combine Multiple Files Into One PDF
If you use macOS, it has high-powered, built-in PDF tools that allows you to combine multiple PDFs into one. You can use Preview to combine pdfs on macOS. However, Windows users will have to use the separate third-party app pdf editor. We’ve tested two PDF editors for this illustration purpose. These PDF editors also support macOS.
Combining PDF files using Nitro PDF
The free version of Nitro PDF allows you to do minimal editing, and you may create and combine multiple pdf files into one using its trial version. Start with the free basic version, and if you like it, consider buying the one-time premium plan at INR 17634.14 ($212.39), which can be used by up to 21 members.
Combining PDF files using Wondershare PDFElement
Wondershare PDFelement allows you to combine multiple PDF files into one. Install the free version, launch the PDF editor, and click “Combine”, and follow the self-explanation process. Remember PDFElement also allows you to combine files in different formats into a single PDF, though there are some exceptions.
How to Combine PDF Files Using Adobe Acrobat for Free
However, there are trusted websites, like Adobe, which offer users to freely merge their files. Among third-party online apps that allow users to freely create, edit, and combine pdf files, Adobe Acrobat is exceptional for its highly transparent privacy policy.
Here’s a step by step process to combine PDF files using Adobe Acrobat for free:
Step One: Go to Adobe.com
Step Two: Use “drag and drop PDFs” to merge them into one file
Step three: Select pdf files you want to merge. You can arrange the order of pages of files before you choose to “Merge” them into one PDF file.
Step Four: Final. Once the PDFs are merged into one pdf, download and save it to a preferred location on your computer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is a free online website to combine pdf files any good?
A free online website can only combine your multiple pdf files into one. A PDF editing software will allow further modification, such as organizing pages, protecting your pdf file, signing documents, and more as well as keeps your data safe. However, there are trusted websites, like Adobe, which offer users to freely merge their files, and its data privacy policies are transparent.
I use macOS, do I have to buy a pdf editor?
There are PDF editors that support macOS such as Wondershare PDFElement, Nitro PDF, pdfFiller, Adobe Acrobat, PDF Expert, and more. However, if you have minimal PDF editing requirements, macOS provides users with a high-powered, built-in pdf tool, Preview, which can be used to combine PDFs into one file as well as reorder, rotate, and delete pages.
What more can I do with the pdf editor besides combining files?
There may be levels of editing required after combining multiple files into one pdf file for further modification like annotating PDF to add suggestions as comments, change fonts, shapes, and even split, delete, rotate, add, or organize pages.
What are the benefits of using a pdf editor to combine files?
A PDF editor combines your multiple files into one pdf for flexible reading views, turn pages, and even protecting your file with passwords from copying, or further modifications.
What type of PDFs cannot be edited?
PDF editors can edit “read-only” or “view-only” PDFs as these settings are meant to protect the original content.
