Bates Numbering Software
Drop the whole set, put the files in order, and number every page in one run. The index lists where each file starts and ends.
Free · runs in your browser · nothing is uploaded
How to use the Bates Numbering Software
- Add the PDFs you want to number. The list order is the order of the sequence, so use the move up and move down controls to fix it, or remove any file you do not need.
- If a PDF is password-protected, a box asks for the password. Enter it there. The password stays in your browser tab.
- Set the Prefix and Suffix. For example, type ACME as the prefix and leave the suffix empty.
- Set Start at to the first number, Digits to the zero padding, and Step to the gap between numbers.
- Optional: type a Second line, such as CONFIDENTIAL, to sit under the number.
- Choose the Position (top or bottom, then left, centre or right), the Font size, and the Font: Helvetica, Courier, Times or Helvetica Bold.
- In Pages to number, enter all, or a list such as 1-3, 5, 8-. Turn on White background behind the number if the page is busy.
- Check the preview of the first page and the line showing the first and last label.
- Start the numbering, then download each file with “-bates” in its name, the ZIP of all files, or the index CSV.
Labels use Latin characters from the standard PDF fonts. Any other character shows as ? with a warning, so check the preview before you run the job.
What is Bates numbering and how is a label built?
Bates numbering, often called Bates stamping, puts a unique sequential identifier on each page of a document set. That makes any page easy to cite, find and refer to by its number. A label is built from three parts, joined in this order.
| Part | Setting in this tool | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Prefix | Prefix | ACME |
| Number | Start at, Digits (zero padding), Step | 101 padded to 000101 |
| Suffix | Suffix | none |
| Result | The full label | ACME000101 |
Step controls how far each number moves from the last one. Numbers run across the whole list of files, so the second PDF picks up where the first one ends. The Second line text is printed under the label on every numbered page.
Does this tool create a Bates index?
Yes. Each run produces an index CSV with one row per output file. The columns are file, pages, numbered, first, last and SHA-256.
| Column | What it holds |
|---|---|
| file | Name of the numbered output file |
| pages | Number of pages in that file |
| numbered | Number of pages that received a label |
| first | First label in that file |
| last | Last label in that file |
| SHA-256 | Hash of the output file |
The SHA-256 hash is a fingerprint. If you open a file later and its hash no longer matches the index, the file has changed since the run.
Order matters because numbers are assigned in the order of the list, not in the order the files were added or named. Reorder with the move up and move down controls before you run the numbering. Once the files are numbered, changing the order means running the job again.
What does the tool leave out of a production?
It numbers pages and writes an index. It does not redact text, build load files for litigation software or read scanned pages. Redact first on the PDF redaction tool, then number the redacted copies, so the numbers sit on the final pages.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Bates Numbering Tool?
A Bates numbering tool is software that adds unique identifiers, called Bates numbers, to the pages of PDF documents. This page’s tool does that for several PDFs at once, in one running sequence.
How can I add Bates numbers to a PDF file for free?
Open the tool, add your PDF files, set the prefix, start number and position, then run the numbering. It runs in your browser, costs nothing and needs no sign-up.
Will my original PDF files be changed?
The numbered copies are new files with “-bates” added to the name. Nothing else in each file changes except the labels you add.
Can I customize the Bates number format?
Yes. You can set the prefix, suffix, start number, zero padding, step, a second line of text, position, font size, font, and which pages are numbered. The label is always the prefix, the padded number and the suffix, such as ACME000101.
Can I skip Bates numbering on cover pages?
Yes. In Pages to number, leave out the cover page. For example, 2- numbers everything from page 2 to the end of each file; the same range applies to every file in the run.
Can I preview Bates numbers before finalizing?
Yes. The preview draws the label on the first page, and a line shows the first and last label of the whole sequence. Check it before you start the numbering.
Can I number several PDFs at once?
Yes. Add several PDFs and they receive one running number, in the order listed. You can then download each file, a ZIP of all of them, or the index CSV.
Which characters can I use in a label?
Use Latin characters, since the labels are drawn with the standard PDF fonts. Other characters appear as ? and the tool shows a warning.
Related tools
- Bates numbering: use it when you want to number pages across files in a set.
- Bates stamp: use it to add CONFIDENTIAL, DRAFT or EXHIBIT A text to chosen pages.
- Redact PDF: use it to find and delete text in one PDF.
- PDF redaction software: use it when you need to redact many files at once.
- Redaction check: use it to find text hidden under black boxes.
- Compare PDF: use it to see what changed between two versions of a document.