How do I make sure the files combine in the correct order?

When you are in the 'Combine Files' window, you will see small pictures of your files. Drag these small pictures (thumbnails) up or down to change their order. The first file at the top will be the first page in your new PDF, and so on.

What is the 'Preserve Bookmarks' option when combining PDFs?

The 'Preserve Bookmarks' option helps you navigate your new combined PDF. When it is on, each original file you added becomes a main bookmark in the final PDF. This means you can quickly jump to the start of each original document within the new single PDF, making it easy to find different sections.

If my combined PDF is very large, can I make the file size smaller?

Yes, combining files usually does not make the file size smaller. After you combine your files, you can use Acrobat's 'Optimize PDF' or 'Compress PDF' feature. This tool helps reduce the file size without losing too much quality. It is a good step to take if you need to email the PDF or upload it to a website with file size limits.

Why did my combined PDF only show the first file many times?

This is a known issue with the Combine Files feature. It can happen if the original files have internal problems or old structures. To fix this, try saving each source file again using 'Save As' before combining them. This refreshes their internal structure. Also, adding files one by one instead of all at once can help prevent this problem.

What is the difference between combining files and merging pages?

Feature What it does Best for. Combine Files Puts entire separate documents (like a Word file, an Excel file, and a PDF) into one new PDF. Creating a single packet from many different document types. Merge Pages (Insert Pages) Adds pages from one PDF into an existing PDF at a specific spot. Adding a few pages to an already existing PDF document.

◆ Acrobat · combine

Combine files and reduce file size

Over the last [audits=8] my team spends two days fixing inconsistent packet structure and missing signatures. Show me …

3ready prompts

1real task

3roles

See the prompt↓More combine workflows

When to use it

real situations

You need to send several documents as one small PDF for a school project.
You want to upload multiple scanned forms to a website with a file size limit.
You are sharing meeting notes and want to combine and shrink them for easy emailing.

AI prompts

3 ways to ask · copy any one

AExecute — “help me do it”Combine these files into one PDF and make it as small as…+

Combine these files into one PDF and make it as small as possible: [list your files here].

when the reply comes backWant tips on keeping text clear in small PDFs?

BImprove — “do it better”I combined my files, but can you make the PDF even…+

I combined my files, but can you make the PDF even smaller without losing too much quality?

when the reply comes backNeed help emailing your new, smaller PDF?

CDecide — “help me choose”Should I combine files first or shrink them before combining…+

Should I combine files first or shrink them before combining? Which way is better for keeping quality?

when the reply comes backAsk me how to split your PDF if it gets too big.

How to do it

the tool · the steps · what to avoid

1
Open Adobe Acrobat.
2
Go to the File menu and select Combine Files.
3
In the Combine Files window, click Add Files and select the files you want to merge.
4
Arrange the files in the desired order by dragging them within the list.
5
Click Combine to merge the selected files into a single PDF.
6
Save the new merged PDF by going to the File menu and selecting Save or Save As.

In the appWith the API

You can drag and drop files directly into the Combine Files window to add them quickly.

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

Glossary

words on this page

CombineTo put two or more files together into one file.ExampleYou gather a report, a spreadsheet, and a presentation into one single document.

Reduce file sizeTo make a file smaller so it is easier to share or upload.ExampleYou reduce file size to email a large presentation without exceeding attachment limits.

PDFA common file type used to share documents that look the same everywhere.ExampleShe saved the brochure as a PDF so everyone would see the exact same layout and fonts.

Who does this

3 roles

Administrative AssistantLegal SecretaryProject Manager

FAQ

about this task

In Adobe Acrobat, you can use the 'Combine Files' tool to put several files together into one PDF. After combining, use the 'Reduce File Size' or 'Optimize PDF' tool to make the PDF smaller. This helps when you need to send or upload the file.

Reducing the file size makes it easier to share your PDF by email or upload it to websites that have size limits. Smaller files also open faster and take up less space on your device.

Yes, Adobe Acrobat lets you combine many types of files, such as Word documents, images, and other PDFs, into a single PDF. It will convert them so they all fit together in one file.

If your PDF is still too big, try using Acrobat's 'Reduce File Size' or 'Optimize PDF' feature again, or remove any pages or images you don't need. You can also lower the image quality to make the file smaller.

In Acrobat, 'compressing' and 'reducing file size' usually mean the same thing: making the file smaller. Both use tools that shrink images and remove extra data, but 'Optimize PDF' gives you more choices about how much to shrink.

Combine files and reduce file size

When to use it

AI prompts

How to do it

Glossary

The real tasks

Who does this

FAQ

Sources

Adobe help

Video

Other guides

When it fails