May 7, 2025 • Merge PDF

How to Merge PDF Files: Fast and Secure Solution with PDF.net

Learn how to merge PDFs, including the benefits, best practices, and common mistakes to avoid when combining multiple PDFs into one.

PDF.net

PDF.net

Content Team

how to merge pdfs

To merge PDF files with PDF.net, open the page with the merging tool, upload your files, arrange the documents and pages within it, and download the file.

Learning how to merge PDF files allows users to improve organization and save time by sending fewer attachments and using multiple files for the same purpose (e.g., school and work projects).

Merging PDF documents with online tools such as PDF.net is also beneficial for maintaining high document quality. Additionally, this software uses encryption to keep your original files and the final output secure.

Let’s learn how to merge PDFs into one document, the benefits of doing so, and tips for maximum efficiency.

How to Merge PDF Files Using PDF.net Tool

To merge PDF files using the PDF.net tool, select the merge tool, upload the documents, and reorder files and file pages.

Let’s check the steps in more detail:

#1. Open the PDF Tool and Upload Your Document

How to Merge PDF Files

Firstly, visit our website and click the merge button in the header. Then, use the drag-and-drop PDF merge option to upload one file and later add more files. You can also select all your documents at once by clicking the Choose file and picking the ones from your drive.

#2. Order the Files

Order the PDF Files

Once you upload the files, you can change the merging document order. For instance, if you have two documents, you can select either file and move it to the left or right, depending on its position. This means that you can choose which document will be first in your new merged file and which one will be its continuation.

#3. Rearrange Pages

online PDF combiner

The next step in our online PDF combiner is to arrange the pages of your documents. After you have uploaded and ordered your PDF files, click on the Rearrange button in the top menu. Select pages with your cursor and use options to move, rotate, duplicate, or delete them. Click Save & Close when you are done.

#4. Download the Merged File

Download the Merged PDF File

The final step is to download your document. To do so, simply click the Download button in the top left corner. The download will start automatically and should take only a few seconds.

Why Should You Merge PDF Files

Knowing how to merge PDFs allows you to increase efficiency and save time. First, you can be more practical and combine multiple PDFs to send fewer files and avoid untidy emails and workspaces.

For instance, working as an HR professional in a company, you will probably be responsible for recruiting, onboarding, and training processes. You can put all the files you need to do your work efficiently together. You can do the same with employees’ documents, such as disclosure agreements and tax reports.

Merging PDF files is also great for school projects. For example, students may work on different parts of a single project and then have to combine their work once they finish. Using quick PDF merging solutions, they can easily create a single document ready to be presented.

In addition, combining files is good for solo projects. Let’s say you want to create a job portfolio that requires merging multiple documents. Even if these documents come in different formats, you can convert them to PDF and join all of them.

4 Best Practices for Merging PDF Files

To enhance your efficiency and spend less time on your projects and other job or school activities, you can consider tips for tweaking your documents before and after the merging process.

Here are the four best practices on how to merge PDFs with success:

#1. Optimize Files Before Merging

To optimize files before merging, pay close attention to their quality and size. Otherwise, your files or documents may be too large and cause issues in the merging process.

Similarly, you must convert all your non-PDF files to PDF before starting this process. Failure to do so could cause the entire processing to malfunction and leave you without merged files. Finally, after converting your documents to PDF, you need to check their formatting to ensure they are ready to use.

#2. Organize Your Documents

Before you start merging PDFs, we advise you to arrange and reorder your documents. Knowing which document comes first and which one comes next is important for the coherence and cohesion of your file.

You should also determine and set the page order in every document in your group. The same goes for rotating pages and deleting unnecessary ones.

#3. Use a Reliable Tool

It is very important to use a reliable and secure PDF editor tool to get the best results. While using a free PDF merge tool may be economical, this process may also be unsecured.

Learning how to combine PDFs for free is a good skill because using other software that may charge for the services involves similar procedures. The main difference is that you can merge PDFs without losing quality and formatting when using high-end tools. Another notable benefit of using such tools is that you get to keep your file data safe.

Needless to say, you should check the tools you have and use the ones suitable for your devices. For instance, you may know how to merge PDFs on Mac, but this may not be the best PDF tool for merging PDFs on your Android phone.

#4. Double-Check for Errors

Lastly, we recommend double-checking your documents for errors. This will ensure that you do not miss any important documents that you should merge. Plus, double-checking your PDFs will help you preserve their quality and formatting, as well as organize and arrange the content.

3 Common Issues of Merging PDF Files

Disregarding technical pre-merging aspects, such as file size and compatibility, and organizational elements, like page order, may cause merging tools to malfunction.

Let’s find out more about the three most common issues of merging PDFs:

#1. Large File Sizes Causing Slow Processing

If you do not check the file size, it may slow down the upload process and the merging process later on. Moreover, the merging process, including overly-sized documents, may result in an error, making you compress files before repeating the process.

Moreover, certain tools to merge and edit PDFs have the maximum document size (around 100MB per file). Exceeding these limits may prevent you from uploading or merging files.

#2. File Incompatibility

You may wish to merge documents with different formats, which is possible, but only if you make all of them compatible. For example, combining a PDF file with an XLS document could cause issues. The solution is to make all your file formats uniform before merging while ensuring their quality and formatting remain intact.

#3. Page Order Confusion

To achieve a coherent final output, you must arrange the pages of your file. Failure to do so may confuse readers and lead to misunderstandings. Luckily, this procedure is easy to perform, as it involves using a rearranging tool to delete, rotate, or move pages to the right place.

How PDF.net Can Help You Streamline the PDF Merging Process

You can prepare your file for the merging process using our converter tools (e.g., Word to PDF converter) and our PDF editor allows you to edit the text, adjust font color and size, and perform many other actions (e.g., drawing, annotating, deleting text, etc.).

Our online software uses encryption and ensures that your files and data stay intact during conversion, merging, and other processes. We also care about your privacy and delete all documents from our servers after you finish using our services.

How to Merge PDFs FAQ

#1. Can I merge multiple PDF files into one?

Yes, you can merge multiple PDF files into one using our PDF.net tool. You must open the merge tool, upload your files, reorder and arrange them if needed, and download the document.

#2. Is my data safe when I use PDF.net?

Yes, your data is safe when you use PDF.net. Our website encrypts your documents to protect them and does not keep any files on its servers after you have used our tools.

#3. How do I merge PDF files automatically?

You can merge PDF files automatically with our PDF merge tool. Once you open the tool, upload and order your documents, and arrange the pages, our software will automatically merge all your files and export them, making them ready for download.