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A Guideline for Merging PDF by Adobe Acrobat

July 7, 2023 1.1K views

Portable Document Format (PDF) is an accessible and widely used file format that can be opened and viewed in any software. However, when users have multiple PDF files to review simultaneously, it becomes inconvenient. In this article, we address this issue by providing a guide on how to merge PDF files using Adobe Acrobat, ensuring convenient file management for users.

Method 1: How to use Adobe Acrobat to merge the PDF file?

Getting started with Adobe Acrobat in Windows

Here's a step-by-step guide to installing and setting up Adobe Acrobat on Windows, along with illustrations to help you understand each step:

  • Step 1: Download Adobe Acrobat

Visit the official Adobe website Adobe Acrobat PDF software | Adobe Acrobat and navigate to the Acrobat page. Click on the "Free trial" or "Buy now" button to start the download process.

the official Adobe website



  • Step 2: Run the Installer

Once the download is complete, locate the downloaded file (usually in the "Downloads" folder) and double-click on it to run the installer.

Adobe install



  • Step 3: Choose Installation Options

You will have installation options presented to you by the installer. Click the "Install" button after choosing your favorite language.

Adobe installation



  • Step 4: Accept the License Agreement

Read the license agreement carefully, and if you agree to the terms, click on the "Accept" button.

  • Step 5: Sign In with Adobe ID

If you have an Adobe ID, enter your email address and password to sign in. Otherwise, click on the "Get an Adobe ID" link to create a new account.

  • Step 6: Choose Installation Type

Adobe Acrobat offers two installation types: "Express" and "Custom." Select the "Express" option for a standard installation, or choose "Custom" to customize the installation location and components.

Adobe custom setup


  • Step 7: Wait for Installation

The installer will now start installing Adobe Acrobat on your Windows system. Hold off until the installation is finished.

  • Step 8: Launch Adobe Acrobat

Once the installation is finished, you can launch Adobe Acrobat by double-clicking the desktop shortcut or by searching for "Adobe Acrobat" in the Start menu.

Adobe icon


  • Step 9: Sign In to Activate

When you launch Adobe Acrobat for the first time, you'll be prompted to sign in with your Adobe ID to activate the software. Click the "Sign In" button after entering your email address and password.

  • Step 10: Start Using Adobe Acrobat

Congratulations! You have successfully installed and set up Adobe Acrobat on your Windows computer. You can now start using it to create, edit, and manage PDF files.

Adobe homepage


Getting started with Adobe Acrobat in MacOS

Here's a simplified version of the installation and setup process of Adobe Acrobat on macOS:

  • Step 1: Download Adobe Acrobat

Visit the official Adobe website and click on the "Free trial" or "Buy now" button to download the Adobe Acrobat installer.

Adobe website
  • Step 2: Open the Installer

Locate the downloaded file (usually in the "Downloads" folder) and double-click on it to open the Adobe Acrobat installer.

Adobe file


  • Step 3: Follow the Instructions

Follow the on-screen instructions provided by the installer. You may need to authenticate with your macOS username and password.

Type password macOS


  • Step 4: Choose Installation Location

Select the installation location for Adobe Acrobat. By default, it installs in the "Applications" folder, but you can choose a different location if desired.

  • Step 5: Wait for Installation

Wait for the installation process to complete. It may take a few minutes.

Adobe installer


  • Step 6: Launch Adobe Acrobat

After installation, you can launch Adobe Acrobat by clicking on the "Launchpad" icon in the Dock and then clicking on the Adobe Acrobat icon.

Adobe acrobat DC


  • Step 7: Sign In to Activate

When you open Adobe Acrobat for the first time, you'll be prompted to sign in with your Adobe ID to activate the software. Enter your email and password, and click on the "Sign In" button.

  • Step 8: Start Using Adobe Acrobat

Congratulations! You have successfully installed and set up Adobe Acrobat on your macOS. You can now start using it to create, edit, and manage PDF files.

Step-by-step guide to merging multiple PDF files

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to merge multiple PDF files into a single document:

  • Step 1: Open Adobe Acrobat

Launch Adobe Acrobat on your computer. If you don't have Adobe Acrobat installed, you can download and install it from the official Adobe website.

  • Step 2: Open the Combine Files Tool

In Adobe Acrobat, go to the "Tools" menu located on the right-hand side panel. Scroll down and click on the "Combine Files" option.

Adobe combine tool
  • Step 3: Add PDF Files

Click the "Add Files" button in the Combine Files window. A window for a file browser will open. Choose the PDF files you wish to combine after finding them. Holding down the Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac) key while clicking on the files allows you to choose several files.

Add files
  • Step 4: Rearrange the Order (Optional)

If you want to change the order of the PDF files in the merged document, select a file and use the up and down arrows to rearrange them.

Rearrange files
  • Step 5: Customize Settings (Optional)

You can customize settings for the merged PDF document by clicking on the gear icon next to "Combine Files." Here, you can choose options such as single PDF or portfolio, file size optimization, and more.

  • Step 6: Merge the PDF Files

Once you have added the PDF files and adjusted the settings if needed, click on the "Combine" button. Adobe Acrobat will begin merging the files into a single PDF document.

Combine file
  • Step 7: Save the Merged PDF

After the merging process is complete, you can review the merged PDF document. Click on the "Save" button to save the merged document to a desired location on your computer.

Save files


  • Step 8: Name and Choose Save Location

Provide a name for the merged PDF file and select the folder or directory where you want to save it. Click on the "Save" button to complete the process.

Name files

Rearrange the PDF file before merging

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to merge and rearrange PDF files using Adobe Acrobat, along with illustrations for each step:

  • Step 1: Open Adobe Acrobat on your computer.

Adobe Acrobat icon
  • Step 2: Go to the "Tools" menu and select "Combine Files."

combine tool icon


  • Step 3: Click on the "Add Files" button and select the PDF files you want to merge.

Add files pdf
  • Step 4: To rearrange the order of the PDF files, click and drag them to the desired position.

rearrange the order
  • Step 5: Customize settings (optional) by clicking on the gear icon.

  • Step 6: Click on the "Combine" button to merge the PDF files.

combine PDF
  • Step 7: Save the merged PDF file to your desired location.

save file combine


That's it! You have successfully merged and rearranged your PDF files into a single document using Adobe Acrobat.

Method 2: How to use Adobe Acrobat Online to merge the PDF file?

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use Adobe Acrobat Online to merge PDF files, along with illustrations:

  • Step 1: Open Adobe Acrobat Online

Go to the Adobe Acrobat Online website using your preferred web browser. You can find it at https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/online.html.

Adobe Acrobat Online website


  • Step 2: Access the "Combine Files" tool

On the Adobe Acrobat Online homepage, click on the "Combine Files" tab located at the top of the page.

  • Step 3: Upload PDF files

Click the "Select Files" button to upload the PDF files that you want to merge. You can either choose files from your local computer or drag and drop them into the designated area.

add file online


  • Step 4: Rearrange the order (if necessary)

If you need to rearrange the order of the PDF files before merging, simply click and drag the files within the "Combine Files" interface. This allows you to arrange them in the desired sequence.

Rearrange the order online


  • Step 5: Merge the PDF files

Once you have uploaded and arranged the PDF files, click on the "Combine" button at the bottom right corner of the page. Adobe Acrobat Online will start merging the files into a single PDF document.

Merge the PDF online


  • Step 6: Download the merged PDF file

After the merging process is complete, Adobe Acrobat Online will generate a new PDF file containing all the combined pages. Click on the "Download" button to save the merged PDF file to your computer.

Download this file


  • Step 7: Save or share the merged PDF

You can choose to save the merged PDF file to a specific folder on your computer or share it with others by using the available sharing options provided by Adobe Acrobat Online.

Alternative methods

WPS Office is a comprehensive office suite that offers a range of features and functions for creating, editing, and managing documents, presentations, and spreadsheets. It provides a user-friendly interface and is compatible with Microsoft Office file formats. One notable feature of WPS Office is its Autofit function, which automatically adjusts the content of a document to fit within the specified layout. Here's an overview of WPS Office and a guide on how to use the Autofit function:

Features and Functions of WPS Office:

  • Writer: WPS Writer is the word processing component of WPS Office, offering a wide range of formatting options, document templates, collaboration features, and support for track changes.

  • Presentation: WPS Presentation allows you to create visually appealing slideshows, add animations and transitions, and deliver impressive presentations.

  • Spreadsheets: WPS Spreadsheets provides powerful spreadsheet functionality, including support for complex formulas, data analysis tools, and various chart types.

  • PDF Editing: WPS Office includes a built-in PDF editor that allows you to modify and annotate PDF documents.

  • Cloud Storage Integration: WPS Office integrates with popular cloud storage services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive, allowing seamless access to your files across devices.

  • Collaboration Tools: WPS Office offers real-time collaboration features, enabling multiple users to work on a document simultaneously and track changes

Using the Autofit Function in WPS Office:

  • Step 1: Open WPS Spreadsheets (or create a new spreadsheet).

WPS sheets


  • Step 2: Select the column or columns that you want to apply Autofit to. You can do this by clicking on the column header to select the entire column.

  • Step 3: Right-click on the selected column(s) and choose the "Column" option from the context menu.

WPS sheets autofit


  • Step 4: In the Column menu, select the "Autofit Width" option.

  • Step 5: The selected column(s) will be automatically resized to fit the content within the cells.

FAQs

Q1: Can I merge PDFs of different sizes or orientations?

Yes, you can merge PDFs of different sizes or orientations using various PDF editing tools, including Adobe Acrobat

Q2: Can I split the PDF into different files after merging?

Yes, after merging multiple PDF files into a single document, you can use various PDF editing tools to split the merged PDF into different files based on your requirements.

Summary

Adobe PDF Merger, known as Adobe Acrobat, and WPS Office are powerful tools that simplify document management and enhance productivity, while WPS Office, on the other hand, provides a user-friendly office suite with compatibility for Microsoft Office file formats, enabling seamless document creation, editing, and collaboration. Together, they streamline workflows, enhance collaboration, and boost productivity

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