Combining separate pdfs into one pdf

23 Sep 2010 16:01:49

Mark Ford

I have several pdf files created by my scanner and wish to combine them so that they become one pdf.
I thought I had seen a way to do this in Preview but am unable to find it.
Is there a way to do it in Preview or another application?

Re: Combining separate pdfs into one pdf

23 Sep 2010 21:36:03

Brian Tapper

Hi Mark, try this.

1 open preview and bring a file.
2 point at view and drop down to sidebar, your first file should appear in the sidebar.

With the sidebar showing just select and drag other files into the sidebar.

Hope this is of help.

Brian Tapper

Re: Combining separate pdfs into one pdf

25 Sep 2010 09:48:54

Mark Ford

Thanks Brian,
When I get the separate pdfs in the sidebar and organise their order I can view whichever I want OK but how do I then save the whole lot as one document? I seem to remember a widget that would do this.
Mark

Re: Combining separate pdfs into one pdf

25 Sep 2010 11:02:24

Euan Williams

Hi Mark: you might try this utility:

PDFsam (PDF split and merge) Free, open source.
PDFsam basic versionn enhanced is version available at minimal cost.

I use Acrobat Pro as part of Adobe's CS suite, but PDFsam sounds good and is "so totally less expensive" !

Let us know how you get on. Euan

Re: Combining separate pdfs into one pdf

25 Sep 2010 11:04:23

Euan Williams

Whoops. That should read "An enhanced version is also available at minimal cost"
Euan

Re: Combining separate pdfs into one pdf

26 Sep 2010 16:42:22

Mark Ford

Thanks Euan, you are right - it couldn't be a better price. I suspect 'enhanced' means 'more complex'.
I have tried and it looks as if it will do what I want - if I can work out how to work it!
I guess that using a Mac spoils us for the rigours of open source software.
I will return to the task when I am in the mood to tackle such complexity. Drag & drop is my limit.

Re: Combining separate pdfs into one pdf

26 Sep 2010 16:58:02

Mark Ford

Cracked it - I have tracked down the Widget called PDF+PDF and although the limit is 4 at a time it works like a dream. In order to merge more than 4 it is simple to merge 2,3 or 4 lots of 4 and so on.

Re: Combining separate pdfs into one pdf

27 Sep 2010 10:40:59

Tony Sullivan

I have a simpler way, if you are interested. And it doesn't involve widgets - Preview does it all for you.
Open any PDF file in preview. Then, as above, drag other PDFs into the sidebar BUT drop them ONTO the resident document, not under it. If you miss, or the docs are already there, just select them and drag them into the document icon in the sidebar that you want to merge them with. Then File> Save. Shimples!

Hope this is useful.

Re: Combining separate pdfs into one pdf

27 Sep 2010 11:04:30

Mark Ford

Brilliant - thank you Tony - that's the one I was trying to remember! So simple & Macish.