Why Page Numbers Often Need to Be Added Post-Export
When you merge several PDFs, the resulting file loses any numbering that was embedded in individual documents. Reports exported from databases, combined invoice PDFs, and scanned document sets all arrive without useful page numbers. Adding them after is standard practice.
Placement Options
- Bottom center — classic for books and reports
- Bottom right / bottom left — alternating for two-sided printing (outside edge)
- Top right — common for legal filings
- Top left — Bates numbering position in legal discovery
Number Formats
1, 2, 3— Arabic numerals (most common)i, ii, iii— Roman numerals (preambles, front matter)A, B, C— alphabetic (rare, used in some legal systems)
Starting Page Value
If you're adding numbers to an appendix that follows a main document numbered 1–50, set the start value to 51 so the numbering is continuous. For front matter (table of contents, preface), start at "i" and use Roman numerals.
Bates Numbering for Legal Documents
Bates numbers are sequential identifiers stamped on each page during legal discovery, e.g., JONES-000001. A prefix + zero-padded number lets attorneys reference a specific page unambiguously across thousands of documents. When using a PDF tool for Bates numbering, set:
- Prefix: case or party name (e.g.,
ACME-) - Padding: 6 digits minimum for large productions
- Position: top-left corner per convention
Add Page Numbers Now
Open ToolsVito's Number PDF Pages, choose position, format, and starting value, and download the stamped file — processed locally.