Bates numbering
Number every page of several files in one sequence, with a prefix, start number, digits and suffix. Add header and footer text on the left, center or right, with the page number, page count, date or file name. Files download as one ZIP with a CSV of each file’s first and last number.
What Bates numbering does
Bates numbering gives every page in a set of documents its own number, such as DOC000001, so anyone can refer to a specific page. Legal teams use it for discovery and court filings. Several files are numbered in one sequence, and a CSV lists the first and last number in each file.
The same tool adds headers and footers: text at the left, center or right of the top and bottom of each page, with the page number, page count, date or file name filled in.
How to add Bates numbers to PDFs
- Drop one or more PDFs on the box above. Put them in numbering order with Move up and Move down, or Sort A→Z.
- Under Bates numbers, set the Prefix, Start and Digits, and a Suffix if you need one. Add header or footer text, using the chips to insert the page number, page count, date or file name.
- Check the preview of page 1, then select the Number button. Download the numbered files and the CSV of each file's first and last number.
Settings
| Bates numbers | Prefix (DOC by default), Start (1), Digits (6, up to 12; numbers are padded with zeros) and Suffix. Turn off Add Bates numbers to add only headers and footers. |
|---|---|
| Header and footer | Left, Center and Right text at the top and bottom of each page. The Bates number goes on the right of the footer unless you place it somewhere else. |
| Fields | Page, Page count, Date, File name and Bates number, filled in on each page. Date is today's date as YYYY-MM-DD unless you type one. |
| Text | Helvetica, 6 to 24 pt (default 10), in black or another color. Margin 9 to 72 pt from the page edge (default 36 pt, half an inch). |
| Pages | All pages, or a custom range in each file. Every page still uses a number; only the pages you list show it. |
| Several files | Numbering continues from one file to the next, in the order of the list. |
| File names | Keep the original names, or name each file after its first Bates number. |
| Download | Several files come as one ZIP that includes bates-ranges.csv: each file, its first and last number and its page count. |
Limits
- Numbers and text are drawn into the page content. To remove them, go back to your original files.
- Text is set in Helvetica. Characters it can't show, such as Cyrillic, Chinese or Arabic, are drawn as an image with your device's fonts, so they can't be selected or searched.
- Any change to a file breaks a certificate-based digital signature in it.
Where your file goes
Numbering runs in this browser tab with pdf-lib. Your PDFs aren't uploaded.
If you're signed in, the result panel also offers Save to My documents. Only that button uploads the file, to your account's storage.
Questions
What is a Bates number?
A unique, sequential identifier stamped on every page of a document set, usually a prefix and a zero-padded number such as DOC000123. It lets everyone in a case refer to the same page.
Does numbering continue across several files?
Yes. The first page of each file continues from the last number of the file before it, in the order of the list. Each file's range is shown before you start and listed in the CSV afterwards.
How do I continue from an earlier production?
Set Start to the number after the last one you used, with the same Prefix and Digits. The CSV from the earlier run lists the last number.
Where does the number go?
On the right of the footer, 36 pt (half an inch) from the page edges. To move it, insert the Bates number chip into another header or footer box. Rotated pages are numbered in their reading orientation.
Can I leave the cover page unstamped?
Yes. Under Pages, choose Custom and list the pages to stamp, such as 2-last. The cover still uses a number, so the sequence has no gaps.
Can I add a header or footer without a Bates number?
Yes. Turn off Add Bates numbers and type the header or footer text. Use the chips to insert the page number, page count, date or file name.
What happens to a password-protected PDF?
You're asked for the password when you add the file. The numbered copy has no password, so run Protect PDF on it if it needs one.