How to add page numbers to a PDF
Number a document properly, including the awkward cases like cover pages and combined bundles.
Page numbers matter the moment a document is discussed rather than just read. Without them, nobody can say where anything is.
The mechanics are simple; the judgement is in handling covers and documents that are one part of something larger.
The steps
- Upload the document.
- Pick one of six positions on the page.
- Choose a style: a plain number, 'Page 1', or '1 / 12'.
- Set the starting number and font size, then run the tool.
Skipping the cover
A number stamped on a title page looks wrong. Leave the cover out of the page selection, then set the starting number so the sequence still reads correctly on the pages that do get numbered — start at 2 if the cover counts as page 1, or at 1 if it does not count at all. Which is right depends on the convention you are following.
Numbering one part of a bundle
If your document continues from another, set the starting number to carry on where the previous part ended. This is what the start setting is really for, and it is why numbering a merged bundle usually works better than numbering the parts separately.
Choosing a style
A plain number is unobtrusive and right for most documents. 'Page 1' reads more formally. '1 / 12' tells the reader how much is left, which is genuinely useful in printed handouts and reference material, and slightly noisy everywhere else.
