Everyday PDF tasks

Combine and split PDFs in the right order

Assemble a report and appendices, then check page order, orientation and output boundaries.

RedactNinja guide. Updated 23 September 2026.

Merging joins documents into one PDF. Splitting makes several files from one PDF. Page organisation lets you rearrange, rotate or remove pages before downloading. Decide which output you need before changing the source.

A simple report pack

Imagine a two-page cover letter, a six-page report and a three-page appendix. The expected merged result is eleven pages, in that order. Write down that expectation before importing so you have an independent check of the result.

1. Open Merge PDF in the PDF tools library and select the files.
2. Use the page previews to check the actual order. Similar filenames and selection order are not reliable substitutes for inspecting the pages.
3. Rotate any sideways pages and remove only pages you have deliberately decided not to include.
4. Download a new PDF and reopen it. Check the total page count and the transition between the letter, report and appendix.

Splitting the pack again

For the fictional eleven-page pack, the report occupies physical pages 3 to 8. Printed page numbers inside the report may start at 1, so distinguish the viewer's page position from the number printed on the paper. Use the split or extract controls for the required range and inspect each result.

If you need several outputs, give them distinct filenames. Check each output's first and last page rather than assuming the selected ranges were correct. Keep a note of which source pages belong to which output when preparing evidence.

Check more than the page count

A correct count can still hide a duplicated page and a missing one. Check section headings, blank pages, image orientation and any newly added numbering. Mixed page sizes may be intentional; do not force everything to one size without checking how it affects readability.

Links, bookmarks, forms and certificate signatures need separate attention after structural changes. An existing signature on a source document should not be assumed valid for a new merged document. Keep the originals if their signature evidence matters.

What these tools do not do

Removing a page is not a substitute for reviewing sensitive information on the remaining pages. Cropping changes visible bounds and is not secure redaction. Use the redaction workflow when information must be removed before sharing.