Extract vs. Split vs. Delete
Three operations sound similar but do different things:
- Extract — create a new PDF from selected pages, leaving the original unchanged
- Split — divide the PDF into multiple output files at defined boundaries
- Delete — remove pages from the existing PDF
Use extract when you want a subset of pages as a new standalone document.
Selection Syntax
Enter page numbers or ranges separated by commas:
3 → just page 3
1-5 → pages 1 through 5
1, 3, 7-10 → pages 1, 3, and 7 through 10
Preserving Embedded Resources
Extracting pages copies the page content, fonts, and images referenced by those pages. A good extraction tool also strips resources only referenced by the deleted pages, keeping the output lean. Poorly implemented tools copy all fonts and resources from the entire document, resulting in bloated outputs.
Practical Use Cases
- Legal discovery — extract only the relevant exhibit pages from a long deposition
- Academic papers — share a specific chapter without the full manuscript
- Invoices in a statement — pull individual invoice pages from a monthly PDF statement
Extract Pages Now
Open ToolsVito's Extract PDF Pages, enter your page selection, and download the new PDF — everything runs in your browser, nothing uploaded.