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.

Combine files using Adobe PDF Services API in Adobe Acrobat — How-to & AI prompts

AI prompts

3 ways to ask · copy any one

AExecute — “help me do it”Please combine these files into one PDF: [list your files]…+

Please combine these files into one PDF using Adobe PDF Services API: [list your files here].

when the reply comes backWould you like to add page numbers to your combined PDF?

BImprove — “do it better”Can you organize the files in this order: [order]…+

Can you organize and combine my files in this order using Adobe PDF Services API: [list the order of your files]?

when the reply comes backNeed help splitting a PDF instead?

CDecide — “help me choose”Which of these files should I merge for my project?…+

I have these files: [list your files]. Which ones should I combine into one PDF for my [purpose, like project or report]?

when the reply comes backWant to password-protect your new PDF file?

How to do it

the tool · the steps · what to avoid

1
Obtain your Adobe PDF Services API credentials by creating a project in the Adobe Developer Console and adding the PDF Services API to it.
CautionYou must have an Adobe Developer account and an active PDF Services API entitlement.
2
Download the credentials JSON file from your Adobe Developer Console project.
3
Install the official Adobe PDF Services SDK for your programming language (such as Node.js, Java, or .NET) using your package manager.
Best practiceUsing the official SDK simplifies authentication and request formatting compared to direct REST calls.
4
Import the SDK and load your credentials JSON file in your code.
5
Prepare an array of file references or file paths for the PDFs you want to merge (up to 20 files).
NoteYou can specify page ranges for each file if you only want to include certain pages.
6
Create a CombineFiles operation using the SDK and add each PDF file (and optional page ranges) to the operation.
Best practiceYou can control the order of merged files by the order you add them to the operation.
7
Execute the CombineFiles operation and specify the output location for the merged PDF.
8
Handle the response and save or process the resulting merged PDF file as needed.
Best practiceIn automation scenarios, you can trigger this process from workflows such as Logic Apps or Zapier.

In the appWith the API

You can merge up to 20 PDF files and specify page ranges for each when using the API.

The /combineFiles endpoint in the Adobe PDF Services API merges multiple PDFs into a single PDF, supporting file order and page selection.

Glossary

words on this page

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.

APIA way for different software to talk to each other automatically.ExampleAn online store uses an API to automatically send shipping details to a delivery service.

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

The real tasks

the one, listed here

My consolidation process spawns messy ad-hoc binders.

FAQ

about this task

To combine files, you upload the files you want, and the API puts them together into one PDF. You just need to choose your files and follow the steps in the tool.

Combining PDF files means taking two or more separate PDF documents and making them into one single PDF file, which is easier to share and read.

Yes, you can usually combine other file types like Word or images, because the API can convert them to PDF before merging.

Using the API is faster and more accurate, especially when you have many files or need to do this task often. It also works automatically without needing to open each file.

Yes, Adobe PDF Services API is designed to keep your documents secure and private while combining them, so your files are protected.

Combine files using Adobe PDF Services API

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