How do I add onboarding records of different types, like Word and Excel, into a PDF Portfolio?

Start a PDF Portfolio from the Create menu in Adobe Acrobat. Click Add Files and choose both your Word and Excel files. Add other file types if you need. Click Create to finish and save your Portfolio.

What is the difference between PDF Portfolio and Combine in Adobe Acrobat?

Feature PDF Portfolio Combine. Keeps original file types? Yes No Files stay separate? Yes No, merged into one PDF Best for mixed formats? Yes No, only for merging Can open files in their own apps? Yes No

If my onboarding scan is blurry, can I replace just that file in the PDF Portfolio?

Yes, you can remove the blurry scan from the PDF Portfolio. Add a new, clear scan to replace it. Save the updated Portfolio with the new file.

◆ Acrobat · combine

Store Onboarding Records

Prepare the new-hire orientation packet by filling in the standard forms, collect signed completion pages, save the co…

2ready prompts

1real task

3roles

See the prompt↓More combine workflows

When to use it

real situations

HR collects new employee forms in different formats and needs to store them together.
A manager wants to send onboarding documents, videos, and presentations to a new store.
An auditor requests all onboarding records for a store, but each file must stay unchanged.

AI prompts

2 ways to ask · copy any one

AExecute — “help me do it”Prepare the new-hire orientation packet by filling in the standard forms, collect signed…+

Prepare the new-hire orientation packet by filling in the standard forms, collect signed completion pages, save the completed documents to the central [folder=SharePoint onboarding] folder and confirm every packet contains ID verification and emergency contact forms.

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

BImprove — “do it better”Before I publish the packet, ensure HR can audit completions easily: prefill manager and…+

Before I publish the packet, ensure HR can audit completions easily: prefill manager and start-date fields, append a completed checklist page to each PDF, and save each hire's packet to the SharePoint folder organized by hire date so HR won't miss required paperwork.

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 Adobe Acrobat.
2
Go to the File menu and select Create, then choose PDF Portfolio.
3
In the PDF Portfolio window, click Add Files to select and add the documents you want to include.
4
Optionally, use Add Folder to include an entire folder of files.
5
Arrange the files in your preferred order by dragging them within the portfolio list.
6
Click Save Portfolio or File > Save As to save your new PDF Portfolio.

In the appWith the API

You can preview any file inside the PDF Portfolio by clicking its name before saving.

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

Glossary

words on this page

PDF PortfolioA PDF file that holds several files together, like a folder.ExampleThe client received a PDF Portfolio containing the proposal, budget, and project timeline all in one file.

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

Original formatOriginal format means the file stays the same type, like Word, Excel, or PDF, and is not changed.ExampleSaving the report in its original format means keeping it as a Word document, not converting it to a PDF.

Who does this

3 roles

Administrative AssistantLegal SecretaryProject Manager

FAQ

about this task

Start a PDF Portfolio from the Create menu in Adobe Acrobat.
Click Add Files and choose both your Word and Excel files.
Add other file types if you need.
Click Create to finish and save your Portfolio.

Feature	PDF Portfolio	Combine
Keeps original file types?	Yes	No
Files stay separate?	Yes	No, merged into one PDF
Best for mixed formats?	Yes	No, only for merging
Can open files in their own apps?	Yes	No

PDF Portfolio is useful for onboarding records because you often have many types of files, like forms, spreadsheets, and emails. Using Portfolio keeps each file in its original format, so you can open and use them easily later. It also lets you organize and send all records together without changing them.

Yes, you can remove the blurry scan from the PDF Portfolio.
Add a new, clear scan to replace it.
Save the updated Portfolio with the new file.

If you add too many files or make the PDF Portfolio very large (over 15 files or 50 MB), Adobe Acrobat may become slow or not work well. It is best to keep your Portfolio smaller for better performance and easier sharing.