How do I add Bates numbers to multiple PDF files at once?

Open Acrobat Pro and go to 'Edit' > 'More' > 'Bates Numbering' > 'Add'. In the dialog box, click 'Add Files' and select all the PDFs you want to number. Arrange the files in the correct order for numbering. The numbers will follow this order across all documents. Choose where you want the Bates numbers to appear (header/footer) and set the digit count. Click 'OK' to apply the numbers. Acrobat will process all selected files sequentially.

What is the difference between Bates Numbering and simply changing page labels in Acrobat?

Feature Bates Numbering Page Labels. Purpose Adds permanent, unique IDs for legal indexing. Changes how page numbers are displayed in Acrobat. Permanence Stamps numbers onto the page, like ink (permanent). Only changes metadata; not part of the page content (not permanent). Use Case Legal cases, audits, official document tracking. Renumbering chapters, sections, or starting pages at '1'.

Add Bates Numbers in Adobe Acrobat — How-to & AI prompts

AI prompts

2 ways to ask · copy any one

AExecute — “help me do it”Apply Bates numbers to all exhibits for [investigation=Investigation 112] so every page has a…+

Apply Bates numbers to all exhibits for [investigation=Investigation 112] so every page has a unique identifier, then save the Bates-numbered file to the investigation folder.

when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed.

BImprove — “do it better”Number the exhibits for [investigation=Investigation 112] in a way that stands up in court: use…+

Number the exhibits for [investigation=Investigation 112] in a way that stands up in court: use a consistent prefix, include county and case number, embed Bates numbers in the footer, and export a Bates index mapping file name to page range for the prosecutor and case file.

when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed.

How to do it

the tool · the steps · what to avoid

1
Open the PDF document you want to Bates number in Adobe Acrobat.
2
Go to the Tools tab and select Edit PDF.
3
In the secondary toolbar, click More and choose Bates Numbering > Add.
4
In the Add Bates Numbering dialog, confirm your PDF is listed and click OK.
5
In the Bates Numbering dialog, click Insert Bates Number.
6
Set your Bates numbering options, such as number format, prefix, suffix, and position on the page.
7
Click OK to apply the Bates numbers.
8
Save the newly Bates-numbered PDF.
Best practiceBefore finalizing, review the placement and format of Bates numbers on several pages to ensure they do not obscure important content.

In the appWith the API

You can preview how the Bates numbers will appear on your pages before applying them by using the preview option in the dialog.

This runs in the Acrobat app - there is no separate API for this task.

Glossary

words on this page

Bates NumberingA way to give each page in a document a unique number.

Header/FooterThe top (header) or bottom (footer) part of a page where you can put text or numbers.ExampleAdding the date to the header/footer ensures it appears consistently on every page.

Legal IndexingOrganizing and numbering legal documents so they can be easily found and referenced.ExampleThe paralegal completed the legal indexing of all court documents for easy reference.

Who does this

3 roles

ParalegalLitigation Support SpecialistRecords Manager

FAQ

about this task

Bates Numbering is a system that adds unique, sequential numbers to each page of a document set. It is very important for legal documents because it creates a permanent, unchangeable ID for every page. This helps lawyers, courts, and other parties easily refer to specific pages, ensuring everyone is looking at the exact same document and page during legal proceedings.

Open Acrobat Pro and go to 'Edit' > 'More' > 'Bates Numbering' > 'Add'.
In the dialog box, click 'Add Files' and select all the PDFs you want to number.
Arrange the files in the correct order for numbering. The numbers will follow this order across all documents.
Choose where you want the Bates numbers to appear (header/footer) and set the digit count.
Click 'OK' to apply the numbers. Acrobat will process all selected files sequentially.

Bates Numbering adds a new stamp to your document. It usually does not overwrite existing page numbers unless you place the Bates number in the exact same spot. You can choose where the Bates number appears in the header or footer. It's best to pick an empty area to avoid covering any existing information on your pages.

Feature	Bates Numbering	Page Labels
Purpose	Adds permanent, unique IDs for legal indexing.	Changes how page numbers are displayed in Acrobat.
Permanence	Stamps numbers onto the page, like ink (permanent).	Only changes metadata; not part of the page content (not permanent).
Use Case	Legal cases, audits, official document tracking.	Renumbering chapters, sections, or starting pages at '1'.

The Bates Numbering feature is only available in Adobe Acrobat Pro. If you are using Acrobat Standard or a free reader, you will not find this option. You need to have Acrobat Pro installed to access and use Bates Numbering for your documents.

Add Bates Numbers

When to use it

AI prompts

How to do it

Glossary

The real tasks

Who does this

FAQ

Sources

Adobe help