Bates Numbering for PDF
Stamp sequential Bates numbers with prefix, suffix and zero padding on one or many PDF files – numbering continues from file to file.
Your files never leave your deviceDrop PDF files here or click to select
Select one or more PDFs – numbers continue across files in the listed order
Documents (numbered in this order)
How to Add Bates Numbers to PDF Files
Add Your Documents
Select one or several PDFs. Put them in the right order with the arrow buttons – numbering continues from one file to the next.
Set Up the Bates Number
Enter a prefix (e.g. a case or client code), an optional suffix, the start number and how many digits to pad. Choose position, size and color.
Download
Click “Add Bates Numbers”. A single file downloads as a PDF, several files as one ZIP archive.
What Is Bates Numbering?
Bates numbering (Bates stamping) gives every page of a document production a unique, sequential identifier such as ABC000001. Law firms, courts, auditors and medical records departments use it to reference and retrieve individual pages in discovery, litigation and archiving.
With PDFs.app you can number a whole set of documents in one go: the first page of the second file continues exactly where the first file ended. The preview shows the first and last number before you start, and confidential case files never leave your computer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Bates number several PDFs at once?
Yes. Add all documents, arrange them in the right order and the numbering runs continuously across all files. You receive the stamped files in one ZIP archive.
How do I continue an existing Bates range?
Enter the next free number as the start number, for example 1201 if your last production ended with ABC001200.
What does the number of digits mean?
It pads the number with leading zeros so all identifiers have the same length: with 6 digits, page 42 becomes 000042. Longer numbers are never cut off.
Are my legal documents uploaded?
No. The Bates numbers are stamped locally in your browser. Your documents are never sent to a server, which keeps privileged and confidential material on your device.