How to Combine Two Documents into One PDF Mac

As the world continues to become more digital, the need for electronic documents has increased significantly. One of the most commonly used document types is PDF. PDF’s popularity is due to its ability to keep a document’s formatting and content consistent across all devices. PDFs are also secure and easy to share. The need to merge multiple PDF documents into a single file arises when handling related documents or multiple pages of the same document. It is vital to merge these documents into one PDF to present them efficiently.

If you are a Mac user, you may wonder how to merge multiple PDFs into a single file on your Mac. Fortunately, there are several methods to combine two documents into one PDF Mac. In this blog post, we will explore some steps and tools that can help Mac users accomplish this task quickly and efficiently.

Video Tutorial:

What’s Needed

Before we dive into the methods, here are a few things you will need to merge multiple PDFs into one file on your Mac:

  1. Multiple PDF documents that you want to merge
  2. A Mac computer with a built-in Preview app
  3. An Adobe Acrobat Reader app (optional)

What Requires Your Attention is…

When merging multiple PDFs into one document, ensure the following:

  1. The PDF documents are in the appropriate order for your final document.
  2. If some of the original PDF documents are two-sided, and you want to keep the original orientation in the final document, you may need to rotate some of the pages.
  3. If your PDFs contain sensitive or confidential information, ensure the final document has the appropriate password protection.
  4. If you want to use online tools to merge PDFs, you need to have a reliable and secure internet connection to protect your data.

Method 1: Combine PDF Documents in Preview App

Mac users can use the built-in Preview app to combine multiple PDF documents into one. Preview is a powerful macOS app that allows users to view, annotate, and edit images and PDFs. Here are some detailed steps to combine PDF documents in Preview app:

  1. Open the Preview app on your Mac computer.
  2. Click on the ‘File’ menu and select the ‘Open’ command. Choose the first PDF that you want to include in your new file. Preview will open the document for you.
  3. Click on the ‘View’ menu and select the ‘Thumbnails’ option. Doing so will display the document’s thumbnail images in a left-hand sidebar
  4. Drag and drop the other PDF documents you want to combine into the sidebar, below the pages of the first document. You will see these documents represented as thumbnails in the sidebar. Adjust the order of pages as required by clicking and dragging a thumbnail to the desired location.
  5. Save the combined PDF by clicking on ‘File > Export as PDF.’ Preview will create a merged PDF document that contains all the pages from the different PDFs.

Pros:

  1. The Preview app is a built-in feature on Macs, so it does not require the installation of any additional software.
  2. The Preview app is easy to use for small document files and basic editing functions.

Cons:

  1. The Preview app is not suitable for large documents with many pages or complex editing tasks.
  2. The Preview app’s capabilities are limited, and you may need to rely on third-party software to accomplish more complex tasks.

Method 2: Combine PDF Documents in Adobe Acrobat Reader

Though Adobe Acrobat Reader is not a built-in feature on Macs, it is one of the most commonly used apps for working with PDFs. Acrobat Reader has a vast array of features, including the ability to combine multiple PDF documents into one file. If you have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your Mac, here’s how you can merge multiple PDF documents:

  1. Launch Acrobat Reader on your Mac computer.
  2. Click on ‘File > Create > Combine Files into a Single PDF’.
  3. Select the PDF documents you want to include in the new document and click ‘Add Files’.
  4. You can adjust the order of the documents by dragging them around within the list.
  5. However, you can also select a specific document and use the ‘Up’ and ‘Down’ arrow buttons to place it in the desired position.
  6. Once you have arranged the files in the desired order, click on ‘Combine Files’.
  7. You can then save the newly merged PDF document to a location of your choice.

Pros:

  1. Adobe Acrobat Reader is a comprehensive software that can handle large documents with many pages and complex editing tasks.
  2. You can password protect your document to ensure the security of your information.

Cons:

  1. You need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your Mac.
  2. You must have a subscription to access all the software’s features.

Method 3: Use Online PDF Merge Tools

Besides the Preview app and Adobe Acrobat Reader, you can use online PDF merge tools to combine PDF documents into one file. Online tools are browser-based, which means you don’t need to install any software on your Mac. Here’s how to merge PDFs using an online tool:

  1. Open your web browser and search for ‘online PDF merge tools.’
  2. Select a suitable tool from the search results.
  3. Upload the PDF files you want to merge. The tools usually have a ‘drag and drop’ feature that allows you to add files easily.
  4. Arrange the files’ order by clicking and dragging each file.
  5. Once you’ve arranged the PDFs in the desired order, click ‘Merge’ to combine them.
  6. The tool will generate a merged PDF document that you can download and save to a location of your choice.

Pros:

  1. Online PDF merge tools save you from the need to install any software on your Mac. This can save storage space and reduce the chances of your device getting infected with malware.
  2. Using online tools is typically faster, and they provide a user-friendly interface and straightforward instructions.

Cons:

  1. You need a reliable internet connection to use this method.
  2. You must be comfortable sharing your files online with a third party, which may not be suitable for confidential or sensitive documents.

Why Can’t I Merge My PDF Files?

The following are some reasons why you may be experiencing difficulties merging PDF files:

  1. The PDF files you are attempting to merge may be too large to upload or process using your chosen method.
  2. Your device’s storage space may be insufficient to support the merging process.
  3. The file format of one or more of the documents may be incompatible with the method you selected (for example, an encrypted or password-protected PDF file).

Fixes:

  1. Split the PDF files into smaller sections and merge them in batches to reduce the overall file size.
  2. Free up storage space by deleting unnecessary files or transfer data to external storage devices and cloud services.
  3. Convert the incompatible file format to a suitable format, such as Word or JPG, and then convert them back to PDF files once they are in the correct file format.

Implications and Recommendations

The ability to merge multiple PDF documents into one plays an essential role in many people’s productivity and efficiency. Irrespective of your needs (personal or commercial), consider the following implications when merging PDF files:

  1. Ensure that the final document’s format and appearance are uniform and consistent.
  2. Verify that the document’s content is complete and accurate, with no missing or duplicated pages.
  3. If the PDF contains confidential or sensitive information, ensure that the document is password-protected to prevent unauthorized access.
  4. Ensure that the document’s size is optimized to make it easily shareable and accessible.

Based on these implications, here are some best practices and recommendations for merging PDF documents:

  1. Always verify that you can merge your PDF files before beginning the process.
  2. Ensure that you have adequate storage space before starting the merging process.
  3. Choose the right method that suits your needs, depending on the number of PDF files you want to merge.
  4. Protect the PDF document with a strong password to prevent unauthorized access.

FAQs

Q1. Can I merge PDF files on my iPhone?

A1. Yes, you can use an app such as iLovePDF or Adobe Acrobat Reader on your iPhone to merge PDF files.

Q2. Will merging multiple PDF files affect the quality of the final document?

A2. No, merging multiple PDF files will not affect the quality of the final document as long as each PDF is of high quality.

Q3. Is it possible to rearrange pages within the merged PDF document?

A3. Yes, it is possible to rearrange pages within the merged PDF document in most PDF editing software.

Q4. Can I merge PDF files using Dropbox?

A4. Yes, you can merge PDF files using Dropbox by following the steps on their website.

Q5. Can I merge password-protected PDF files?

A5. Yes, you can merge password-protected PDF files as long as you have the correct password to open the files.

Conclusion

Merging multiple PDF documents into one Mac is a simple process that can be accomplished using different tools. Mac users can choose from the built-in Preview app, Adobe Acrobat Reader, or online PDF merge tools to combine multiple PDFs into one file. The best method depends on the number of PDF files you want to merge, their size and complexity, and the purpose of the merged document. By following the detailed steps and recommendations in this blog post, you can merge your PDFs with confidence and efficiency.