Your files stay on your device

File processing runs in your browser. Documents are not uploaded to our servers. The site may download processing engines and send usage or feedback events without file contents.

How we handle your data →
← All PDF tools

Bates Numbering

Label every page in one PDF with a padded identifier for a clear review reference.

Synthetic example — review the operation settings before running.

Your documents stay on this device. Tool downloads and usage statistics do not include file contents.

Local limits: Max single file: 10 MB

Files are processed in your browser. They are not uploaded to this site.

A practical guide

Make each page easy to cite.

  1. Choose one PDF and select Bates identifiers.
  2. Set the starting number, prefix or suffix and minimum digits.
  3. Preview the output and check the sequence and placement.

Try this example

Number a ten-page client packet from 1 with prefix CASE- and six minimum digits. Confirm the first and last labels and check that existing footer text stays visible.

Before

  • Three pages
  • No identifiers

After

  • DOC-000001
  • DOC-000002
  • DOC-000003
Input and expected output for this task. Illustrative example.

Before you start: Identifiers are text overlays on a single file, not a multi-file production system or certified Bates process.

Use standard page numbers
What you get

Add sequential Bates identifiers to each page. Set a starting number, prefix, suffix and minimum digit width; this processes one PDF at a time.

Limits and important details

One PDF, up to 10 MiB and 200 pages; output up to 40 MiB. Starting counter is limited to 999,999,999. Prefix is up to 24 printable ASCII characters, suffix up to 16, and minimum width is 1–9 digits. Batch numbering across multiple documents is not supported.

Example

Choose one PDF within 10 MiB and 200 pages. Select Bates identifiers, set a prefix such as CASE-, start at 1 and use six minimum digits; inspect the first and last padded labels. This numbers one PDF, not a multi-file legal production.