Ways on How to Merge PDF Files on Mac Easily and Quickly

Merging multiple PDF files is a common need for many users. It helps keep documents organized, reduces file clutter, and makes sharing information easier. For example, combining reports, receipts, or notes into one file saves time and makes it more convenient to manage. Instead of opening several files, you can access everything in a single, well-arranged PDF. In that regard, Mac users are in luck, as there are several ways to merge PDFs. You can employ built-in tools like Preview or rely on third-party apps that offer extra features and flexibility. These tools make the process fast and simple, even for beginners. In this article, you'll learn the most effective ways to merge PDF files on Mac. This includes both native and external options, along with step-by-step instructions to help you do it effortlessly.

Merge PDF Files on Mac With Preview

If you don't want to install extra software, you can utilize the built-in Preview app to easily join PDF documents Mac. Preview is a powerful and user-friendly tool that comes pre-installed on macOS, allowing you to view, edit, and organize your PDF files effortlessly. With this built-in app, you can drag and drop pages to merge multiple PDFs into one file, rearrange their order, or even delete unwanted pages. It also supports features like adding annotations, highlighting text, inserting signatures, and adjusting image files. Additionally, Preview lets you find fonts in PDF documents by viewing text information, which is useful for design or document editing. Overall, it's a complete solution for managing, editing, and combining PDFs on your Mac. Below are detailed instructions for using Preview to merge PDF files seamlessly.

Step 1: Open the PDFs in Preview

To initiate the merging process, locate and open the primary PDF file you wish to combine with others by double-clicking it. This action will automatically launch the Preview application and display the contents of your selected document. Then, click the small menu box in the top-left corner of the Preview window, and in the drop-down menu, click the "Thumbnail" option.

Step 2: Merge PDF Files

Once the sidebar displays the thumbnails, you can drag the additional PDF files directly into the sidebar to combine them. Alternatively, you can select "Edit" from the top menu, then choose "Insert" and navigate to "Page from File" to add pages from other PDF documents.

Step 3: Save the Merged PDFs

After that, you can arrange the order of the pages by dragging their thumbnails to your desired sequence within the sidebar. Then click the "File" option on Preview's toolbar and select "Save." Next, name your merged PDF file and hit the "Save" option in the bottom-right corner of the page.

Combine PDF Mac Using Finder's Quick Action

Another straightforward way to merge multiple PDFs on Mac is by using the Finder app's Quick Actions feature. This built-in option offers a fast, convenient way to combine PDF files without launching additional software, such as Preview. It's especially useful when you want to merge documents quickly from your desktop or any folder. With Quick Actions, you can select multiple PDFs and combine them instantly into a single file. Moreover, this feature works on macOS Mojave and later, so most modern Mac users can readily access and use it. Nevertheless, Finder simply combines the files in order and doesn't provide page-level editing options. You can't delete, rotate, or insert individual pages while merging using this method. Here are the steps to merge multiple PDFs Mac in Finder.

Step 1: Open Finder and Select Your PDFs

Go to the Finder app and locate the PDF files you want to merge. After that, press and hold the Command key, and click each PDF to select multiple files. Make sure they're in the correct order, as Finder will merge them in the sequence you choose.

Step 2: Merge PDFs with Quick Actions

Once all your desired PDFs are highlighted, right-click one to open the contextual menu. Then, hover your cursor over "Quick Actions," and from the submenu that appears, select "Create PDF" to instantly combine the selected files into a new PDF document. Afterward, name your newly merged PDF and choose a destination to save it.

Merge PDF on Mac With AcePDF

While Finder and Preview offer native macOS solutions for merging PDFs, you can also explore third-party applications like AcePDF. With this PDF merger tool Mac, you can efficiently merge documents while retaining the original formatting of your documents. You can easily drag and drop files, arrange them in the order you want, and merge them into a single document within seconds. Besides merging PDFs, this tool also lets you combine images into a PDF on Mac, making it convenient for organizing photos, scanned documents, or design files. Once the merging is done, you can open the newly created document and rearrange the order or check its contents to ensure everything is in its proper place. On top of that, it also allows you to split or compress PDFs to optimize file size for easier sharing and storage. Here is a detailed guide on how to merge PDFs on Mac using AcePDF.

Step 1: Acquire the PDF Merger Tool

Let's start the process by obtaining the file installer of AcePDF. You can hit any of the download buttons above to acquire it. Then, run the setup wizard of the PDF merger tool to install it on your macOS. Afterward, it will launch on your Mac.

Step 2: Access the Combine Feature

To access the Combine feature of the PDF merger tool, click the "Tools" panel. Then, different tools will appear on the interface. Locate the "Combine" option and click it. Once you click it, you can select the PDF documents you want to merge or combine into a single file.

Step 3: Merge PDF Documents

Once all the PDF files are uploaded, you can rearrange their order. You can also pick the output folder for your merged PDF files so you can easily access them. When everything is set, click the "Merge" option to combine your PDF on Mac.

Step 4: View the Merged PDF Files

When the check icon appears beside the PDF files you uploaded, it means the merging process is complete. Then, a pop-up window will emerge displaying the combined file. You can then review the newly created document to ensure all your PDF pages are in the correct order and formatting is preserved.

Alternative Tools to Merge PDFs on Mac Online

1. PDF Filler

If you prefer an online method to merge multiple PDFs on Mac, you can use web-based tools like PDF Filler. This platform lets you combine PDFs directly in your browser without installing any software. After clicking the "Merge" option, you can effortlessly rearrange the pages and save the final document on your macOS device. Moreover, PDF Filler offers a complete set of features for editing, annotating, and signing PDFs. You can highlight text, draw shapes, blackout sensitive information, or even add comments. In addition, it lets you search for specific words within a PDF, making it easier to locate important details. However, you have to create an account, and the free trial version of the online tool lasts for 30 days.

2. PDFGear

Another great way to merge PDF files online on your Mac is by using PDFGear. This easy-to-use web tool lets you combine multiple PDF documents into a single file directly in your browser, with no installation required. Simply upload the PDFs you want to merge, then arrange them by document or by individual pages. With its handy "Show Pages" option, you can visually select specific pages from different files to include in your final merged document. Moreover, PDFGear processes your files quickly while preserving their original quality. It's also completely secure, as all uploads are automatically deleted after processing. Nevertheless, it lacks advanced editing features, such as text manipulation, annotation tools, and comprehensive redaction capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I merge PDF files on Mac?

If you're using Preview, merging can fail not only due to technical issues but also because of small dragging errors. When you move a page thumbnail above or below another, a divider line might appear. To merge successfully, you have to enable the "Thumbnail" option and drag the thumbnail directly onto the target page, not past the divider.

How can I insert another PDF into an existing one on a Mac?

First, access the Preview app on your Mac, then load the PDF files you want to combine. Next, in each open PDF, go to View and locate Thumbnails to display the page previews in the sidebar. After that, drag the page thumbnails you want to include from one PDF's sidebar and drop them into the sidebar of the different PDF. This will smoothly combine the selected pages into a single document.

Can I combine PDF files on my Mac without paying?

Yes, macOS includes built-in functionality in the Preview application that lets users merge PDFs for free. Users can utilize Preview to rearrange, add, or delete pages, effectively creating a new composite PDF from existing files.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Mac users have several easy ways to merge PDF files quickly and efficiently. You can use native macOS tools like Preview and Finder’s Quick Actions for simple and fast merging without installing extra software. Nevertheless, if you need more advanced elements, third-party applications such as AcePDF offer greater flexibility and control. Meanwhile, online platforms like PDF Filler and PDFGear provide convenient browser-based options for occasional use. Overall, the best method depends on how often you merge files and the level of editing you need. With these reliable tools, combining PDF documents on Mac becomes effortless and organized.