How to Merge PDF Files Fast and Free

Table of Content

• But why merge PDFs?
  
• Combining PDFs on the web - the quick way to do it
  
• How to Combine PDFs Offline on Desktop without an Internet Connection
  
• Merge PDFs on Mobile
• Common Issues When You Merge PDF Files – And how to resolve them
• Conclusion
• FAQs

Someone emails us the wrong version of a document every week - or sends 5 individual files when a single neat PDF would suffice. If you have ever spent a chunk of your time opening 3 separate contracts, 2 separate invoices, and a cover letter just to read a single submission, you already know the value of knowing how to merge pdf files. It’s a skill that will make your job simpler, clear up confusion, and, best of all, make you seem more organized than you may actually be.

The better news: this process doesn’t require a background in computer science. There are a ton of free online tools out there that have made it a simple task of dragging and dropping your files, putting them in the correct order, hitting merge, and downloading the result. That is it. Regardless of whether you're a student trying to organize research materials, a freelance business trying to combine a proposal into a single document, or an average person sending off paperwork for a home loan, the ability to merge pdf documents properly will prove useful in numerous unexpected ways. Here, we will explore every method possible to combine PDFs using an online tool, a desktop application, and the mobile versions on your phone.

But why merge PDFs?

We know you probably don't have hours to read through this and are keen to just know how to merge PDFs, but it is important that the reason for merging PDFs is actually needed first.

Here is when it actually does work to merge PDFs:

●     You have to send in a job application (cover letter + resume + certificates in one PDF)

●     You have legal/financial documents that have to be kept together.

●      You need to combine different reports (for example, from different departments) into one single file to send it further.

●      You scanned a number of pages and received them as multiple PDFs.

●     You have a compilation from separate project documents which you want to put together into one document as a portfolio.

●     You are collecting your invoices or bills for an expense report, and they will only appear as separate documents.

Here is when you probably do not need to merge:

●     The recipient explicitly asks for several documents.

●     One of the files needs to be signed or approved separately from another one.

●     The resulting document would simply be too large to use.

Simply put: The intention to merge pdf must be addressed individually, but when the merging is required, it helps a lot to do this quickly.

For tasks like merging or compressing files, check out the PDF tools available on iLovePDF’s website.

Combining PDFs on the web - the quick way to do it

What most of us will be looking to do is use one of the online services available on the web. These services are usually almost instant and don't involve any downloading or signing up ( in most cases), meaning they are available on any device that has internet and a browser.

The simple steps - combine PDFs on the web in your browser

●     Open up a free online PDF merging tool ( iLovePDF and Adobe Acrobat Online are common choices).

●     Upload the documents you're combining, just by dragging them to the merging tool on the web page or by browsing through your files and selecting them.

●     Arrange the documents as needed, as all the best web-based tools allow you to move the documents around in your list before you hit the "Merge" button.

●     Hit Merge, and the tool should process the documents using its own servers.

●     Download your merged PDF file.

Generally, this entire process takes under a minute if you're combining relatively normal-sized files.

What makes a good free online merge tool?

When using online services to combine documents, you're typically after:

●     No file size restrictions ( or at least really high ones like 100mb)

●     Ability to re-order the files/pages before combining them

●     Secure connection via HTTPS, meaning your documents are not just passing through the internet like normal, but are transmitted securely over an encrypted connection

●     Automatic deleting of files after merging - the best services take out your document 24 hours after it's been merged

No watermarks- You don't want a pesky watermark on your document!

How to Combine PDFs Offline on Desktop without an Internet Connection

If your files are highly confidential, an offline method allows you to combine your files completely on your local machine and avoid ever transferring any of your files to a third-party server.

 Using a paid PDF Editor

The most flexibility comes from a paid PDF editor. Here’s how to combine PDFs with this kind of tool:

 1. Launch the software. You'll need to find an option that reads combine or merge files-often located under the tools menu.

 2. Add your files. The software will prompt you to add or insert your PDFs.

 3. Arrange your files. Most tools will allow you to easily drag and drop your files into the desired order.

 4. Click combine. Save your new merged PDF wherever it needs to go.

 The catch is that most paid PDF editors have a subscription fee, and if they offer a free reader, it most likely will not have a combine feature.

 Using Preview on a Mac, already on your machine

If you’re working on a Mac, you can also try a less obvious, but built-in option:

 1. Open your first PDF in Preview.

 2. Open your Thumbnails sidebar from the View menu.

 3. Drag in more PDFs, placing them in order of how you want them.

 4. Save the document by exporting it as a PDF.

 This method of combining PDFs works well for basic jobs, and it is free.

 Free desktop software for Windows

 Windows users looking for a free desktop option should look to either:

●      Free PDF Utility Tool-there are open source applications out there that allow for the merging, splitting, compression, reordering, and editing of PDFs without cost.

●      A standalone PDF management tool, rather than a full PDF editor, is the simplest to use; simply add the files, place them in the order that they should be combined, and then merge the documents.

Both of these kinds of free tools are incredibly simple; they often just involve an option to add the files and then a simple drag-and-drop interface to arrange them in the proper order before using the combine option, similar to what you’ll find in easy-to-use online file merging tools designed for quick and efficient workflows.

Merge PDFs on Mobile

Work on your phone more than your laptop? This can be done.

Android

You can do this with some free PDF apps on the Play Store that allow multi-file merging quite efficiently. Find apps with an intuitive file manager interface, so reordering isn't an issue, and be wary of watermarks or restrictions that might push you to pay to use full features. Reading reviews would be ideal before any download.

IPhone/iPad

The iOS devices have a native shortcut that can merge pdf without any third-party applications: seek out "Make PDF" actions within the Shortcuts app. There are various paid apps that you can find, which include intuitive interfaces, like drag-and-drop reordering, though free alternatives are available, which limit you to the number of documents you can combine.

These mobile programs aren't the most convenient for large merges consisting of dozens of documents, but they can efficiently join two or three papers together in a hurry.

Common Issues When You Merge PDF Files – And how to resolve them

It doesn't always go quite so smoothly, though! These are the problems encountered most often and how to overcome them.

Pages merged are not in the correct order

The majority of tools have the option to drag the pages into the correct order prior to merging. If you have already completed the merge, you would have to split the file back into its components, order them, and merge again.

The resulting merged file is too large

You need to run the combined PDF through a compression tool. Most of the merging tools will also include the option for file compression.

One of the PDF files is password-protected

You need to remove the password protection on the relevant PDF file prior to merging. You will need to be prompted to enter the relevant password and will be unable to proceed without it.

The resolution of the document or any images contained within the PDF file has blurred and is of low quality

This is because one of the original files had low resolution prior to the merging process, and the merge process in itself cannot increase or degrade file quality.

The file won't upload to the tool

Some of the online tools will only merge a file if it is of a certain file size. Try to compress the file that is failing to merge prior to upload, or switch to a desktop tool that doesn't place restrictions on the file size.

Conclusion

Knowing how to merge pdf is another one of those "aha" skills that you seem to acquire out of necessity, usually when you really need to combine files and have no recollection of how you got along without them. Once you have a solution, merging files is surprisingly easy. If you are in a time crunch and security isn't paramount, try an online merge tool. If security and offline access are important, download an online program. Or, if your needs are basic and the convenience factor is king, get an app for your phone.

Just remember to arrange the documents correctly before you start, always preview them to check before distributing or sending to others, and keep size in mind. Private documents and confidential information should be approached with extreme care, particularly if using an online service. Otherwise, just find any of the many free desktop applications and online services and dive in.

FAQs

Can I merge PDFs for free?

Yes. There are lots of free desktop applications and online tools to allow you to combine files without having to pay money or register an account.

Will the PDF merge decrease the quality of the file?

No. A merged PDF is a combination of existing PDFs, so the quality is the same.

How many PDFs can I combine at once?

This will vary depending on the tool you use, but most online tools allow about 20-30 files per upload, whereas most applications don't have a limit at all.

Can I combine a scanned PDF file with a standard PDF?

Yes. You can combine two files regardless of how the files were initially created.

Can I combine two PDF files without having to download an application?

Yes. Any browser-based tool works within your web browser.