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5 Free Ways for How to Separate Pages in PDF (2024 Guide)

August 4, 2023 1.7K views

Do you know how to separate pages in PDF? We may need to send large PDF files with hundreds of pages to others, but not all pages are necessary for them to read. It’s better to separate pdf pages and extract them into a single pdf file. Here are 5 free ways for how to separate pages in PDF to help you to streamline your workflow and make your presentations more professional. Let's dive in!

Method 1: Separate Pages in PDF Free with WPS Office

WPS Office is a versatile productivity suite that offers a convenient solution for separating pages in PDF files. With its user-friendly interface and compatibility across multiple platforms such as Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS, WPS Office provides a seamless experience for managing your PDF documents.

To separate pages in a PDF using WPS Office, follow these steps:

Step 1: Install and launch WPS Office on your device.

Step 2: Open the PDF file you want to separate pages from.

Step 3: Click on the "Page" tab in the toolbar.

Step 4: Select the "Split" option from the dropdown menu.

Step 5: Specify the range of pages you want to separate or choose the "Extract Pages" option.

Step 6: Click on the "OK" button to confirm the separation.

Step 7: Save the newly separated pages as individual PDF files.

Benefits of using WPS Office for separating PDF pages free:

  • User-friendly interface: WPS Office provides an intuitive interface that makes it easy to navigate and perform tasks efficiently.

  • Multi-platform compatibility: Whether you're using Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, or iOS, WPS Office ensures consistent performance across all major platforms.

  • Convenient PDF management: WPS Office offers a range of features for PDF management, allowing you to split, merge, convert, and edit PDF files with ease.

Method 2: Separate Pages in PDF With Browser Chrome

Separating pages in a PDF free using your internet browser, specifically Chrome, is a convenient option. Chrome offers built-in PDF viewing and editing capabilities that allow you to extract and save specific pages as separate PDF files. Follow these steps to separate pages in a PDF using Chrome:

Step 1: Open Chrome browser and navigate to the PDF file you want to separate pages from.

Step 2: Once the PDF file is open, click on the "Print" button or press Ctrl + P on your keyboard.

Step 3: In the Print dialog box, select the "Destination" as "Save as PDF."

Step 4: Next, specify the page range you want to separate or extract. You can enter individual page numbers or a range (e.g., 1-5).

Step 5: Click on the "Save" or "Print" button to save the selected pages as a separate PDF file.

Benefits of using Chrome for separating PDF pages:

  • Accessibility: Since Chrome is a widely used browser, you can easily access this feature without the need for additional software or installations.

  • Built-in functionality: Chrome provides native PDF viewing and editing capabilities, making it convenient to perform basic tasks like separating pages without relying on external tools.

  • Efficiency: With just a few simple steps, you can quickly extract and save specific pages from a PDF, saving time and effort.

Method 3: Separate Pages in PDF With Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat is a robust PDF editing application that offers advanced features for managing PDF files, including separating pages. By using Adobe Acrobat, you can efficiently split a PDF into individual pages or extract specific pages as separate files for free. Follow these steps to separate pages in a PDF using Adobe Acrobat:

Step 1: Open Adobe Acrobat on your computer.

Step 2: Open the PDF file you want to separate pages from.

Step 3: Click on the "Organize Pages" tool in the right pane.

Step 4: Choose the "Split" option from the toolbar at the top.

Step 5: Specify the method for splitting the pages, such as by number of pages, top-level bookmarks, or file size.

Step 6: Customize the settings according to your preferences.

Step 7: Click on the "Output Options" to choose the destination folder and naming convention for the resulting files.

Step 8: Click on the "Split" button to initiate the separation process.

Benefits of using Adobe Acrobat for separating PDF pages:

  • Advanced features: Adobe Acrobat offers a comprehensive set of tools specifically designed for PDF management, providing greater flexibility and control over the separation process.

  • Precise customization: With Adobe Acrobat, you can fine-tune the splitting settings, such as specifying page ranges or using bookmarks, allowing for more precise extraction of pages.

  • Additional functionality: Apart from separating pages, Adobe Acrobat offers a wide range of editing and collaboration features, making it a versatile tool for all your PDF needs.

Method 4: Separate Pages in PDF With Preview on Mac

If you're using a Mac, you can easily separate pages in a PDF file using the built-in Preview application. Preview provides basic editing functionalities, including the ability to split PDF files. Follow these steps to separate pages in a PDF using Preview on Mac:

Step 1: Open the PDF file you want to split in Preview by double-clicking on it.

Step 2: In the Preview menu, click on "View" and select "Thumbnails" to display the page thumbnails in the sidebar.

Step 3: Click and drag the thumbnail of the page you want to separate to the desktop or any other desired location. This action creates a new PDF file with only that specific page.

Step 4: Repeat step 3 for each additional page you want to separate into separate PDF files.

Benefits of using Preview on Mac to separate PDF pages:

  • Pre-installed software: Preview comes pre-installed on all Mac devices, eliminating the need for additional software installations.

  • User-friendly interface: Preview offers a simple and intuitive interface, making it easy for Mac users to navigate and perform basic PDF editing tasks.

  • Quick and efficient: With just a few clicks, you can separate pages and create new PDF files, enabling you to organize and manage your documents effectively.

Method 5: Separate Pages in PDF Online for Free

When you have a few PDF files to work with, and confidentiality is not a major concern, using an online tool can be a convenient option to separate pages in your PDF files. One such tool is pdf.wps, which allows you to extract specific pages from your PDF files easily.

Here are the steps to separate pages in a PDF online using pdf.wps:

Step 1: Visit the pdf.wps website at pdf.wps.com.

Step 2: Click on the "Split PDF" button to upload the PDF file you want to separate pages from.

Step 3: Once the PDF file is uploaded, you will see a thumbnail preview of the document.

Step 4: Select the pages you want to separate by clicking on them. You can select multiple non-consecutive pages by holding the Ctrl (or Command) key.

Step 5: After selecting the desired pages, click on the "Extract" button to start the separation process.

Step 6: Wait for the tool to process the PDF file and extract the selected pages.

Benefits of using pdf.wps for separating PDF pages online:

  • Convenience: Being a web-based tool, pdf.wps allows you to separate pages in your PDF files without the need to download or install any software.

  • Accessibility: As long as you have access to a good internet connection, you can use pdf.wps from any device with a web browser.

  • User-friendly: The interface of pdf.wps is designed to be intuitive and easy to use, making it accessible for users with varying levels of technical expertise.

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Tips for Separating Pages in a PDF

Here are some useful tips for separating pages in a PDF effectively:

  • Plan and organize: Before separating pages, consider the structure and content of your PDF. Determine the specific pages you need to extract and their order. This is especially helpful when dealing with lengthy documents or when you only require certain sections for a presentation or report.

  • Use page range options: Take advantage of page range options provided by PDF editors or tools. Instead of selecting pages one by one, you can specify a range (e.g., 1-5) or a combination of page ranges (e.g., 1-3, 7, 10-12) to separate multiple pages at once. This saves time and effort, especially when dealing with large documents.

  • Consider confidentiality: If the PDF file contains sensitive or confidential information, ensure that you are using a secure method or tool for separating pages. Opt for reputable PDF editors or trusted offline tools to maintain data privacy and prevent unauthorized access.

  • Preserve document quality: When separating pages, pay attention to the quality of the resulting PDF files. Ensure that the extracted pages are clear, legible, and retain the original formatting. Some tools or methods may result in degraded image quality or altered layout, so choose options that prioritize document integrity.

  • Save and organize extracted pages: After separating pages, create a systematic approach for saving and organizing the extracted files. Rename the files appropriately, add descriptive titles, and store them in a logical folder structure. This makes it easier to locate and manage specific pages or sections when needed.

  • Back up your original PDF: Before performing any page separation, make a backup copy of the original PDF file. This precautionary step ensures that you can revert to the complete document if needed or avoid accidental loss or deletion of important pages.

FAQs:

Q1: Can I separate pages in a PDF into separate files?

Yes, you can separate pages in a PDF into separate files using Adobe Acrobat. Open the PDF in Acrobat, choose "Organize Pages" > "Split," select the splitting method (single file or multiple files), and specify the output options such as where to save, what to name, and how to split the file.

Q2: Can I edit separated PDFs?

Yes, you can edit separated PDFs. Once the pages are separated into individual files, you can use a PDF editing tool such as Adobe Acrobat or other PDF editors to make modifications, add or remove content, annotate, or perform any necessary edits to the separated PDF files.

Q3: Can I extract pages from a password-protected PDF?

Yes, it is possible to extract pages from a password-protected PDF. However, the ability to extract pages depends on the permissions granted by the owner of the PDF file. If the owner has allowed page extraction, you can use PDF editing tools like Adobe Acrobat to extract the pages. 

Final Thoughts on How to Separate Pages in PDF

In conclusion, separating pages in a PDF is a common task that can be accomplished through various methods. By using tools such as WPS Office, Adobe Acrobat, browser-based solutions, or built-in applications like Preview on Mac, you can easily extract specific pages from a PDF file. Online platforms like pdf.wps also provide a convenient option for separating pages in PDFs. Additionally, these tools offer other useful features for managing and editing PDF documents.

WPS Office stands out as a comprehensive office software. The PDF toolkit within WPS Office provides additional functionality for managing and manipulating PDF documents.

To explore more advantages of WPS Office and its PDF toolkit, you can visit WPS Office website and PDF functions. For further information and online resources related to PDF management, you can also visit pdf.wps. Enjoy the flexibility and convenience offered by these tools to enhance your productivity and streamline your PDF-related tasks.


15 years of office industry experience, tech lover and copywriter. Follow me for product reviews, comparisons, and recommendations for new apps and software.