Combine PDF Files on Windows and Linux: Step-by-Step Guide

Combining multiple PDF files into a single document is a common task that can significantly enhance productivity, especially when dealing with large numbers of documents. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to combine PDF files on both Windows and Linux, highlighting some of the most useful tools and methods.

Combining PDF Files on Windows

Using Free and Open-Source Tools

For users who prefer free and open-source solutions, there are several tools available that can efficiently merge PDF files without the need for commercial software.

PDFsam Basic

PDFsam Basic is a highly recommended tool for merging PDF files on Windows. Here’s how you can use it:

Download and Install: Download the PDFsam Basic software from the official website and install it on your Windows machine.
Drag and Drop Files: Open PDFsam Basic and drag the PDF files you want to merge into the application window.
Arrange Files: Arrange the files in the desired order.
Save the Merged File: Select the resulting PDF file name and click the Run button to combine the files.

Using Commercial Tools

For users who need more advanced features, commercial tools like PDF-XChange Editor, ABBYY FineReader, and Adobe Acrobat DC offer robust functionalities.

PDF-XChange Editor

To combine PDF files using PDF-XChange Editor:

Open the Application: Launch PDF-XChange Editor.
Create a New Document: Go to File > New Document and choose the option to Combine Files into a Single PDF.
Drag Files: Drag the PDF files you want to combine into the file-list box. You can also add other file types like text files, images, Word documents, etc.
Specify Page Range: You can specify the page range of each file you want to import.
Fine-Tune: Open multiple files in separate tabs and drag thumbnail images of the pages you want from the source tab to the target tab.

Combining PDF Files on Linux

Linux users have several options to merge PDF files, both from the command line and using graphical user interfaces.

Using Command-Line Tools

pdfunite

One of the simplest command-line tools for merging PDF files on Linux is pdfunite. Here’s how to use it:

Open a Terminal: Open a terminal window and navigate to the directory containing the PDF files you want to merge.
Run the Command: Use the following command to merge the files:
```
pdfunite file1.pdf file2.pdf output.pdf
```
Replace file1.pdf, file2.pdf, and output.pdf with your actual file names.

Using Graphical User Interface Tools

PDF Arranger

For a more user-friendly approach, PDF Arranger is a great option:

Install PDF Arranger: Install PDF Arranger using your distribution’s package manager, for example:
```
sudo dnf install pdf-arranger
```
Open PDF Arranger: Launch PDF Arranger.
Drag and Drop Files: Drag the PDF files you want to merge into the application window.
Arrange Files: Click to arrange the files in the desired order.
Save the Merged File: Go to Menu > Save As… and give the merged file a name and location.

Additional Tips for Linux Users

Handling Large and Encrypted Files: Tools like PDFsam Basic (which also works on Linux) can handle large, encrypted, and even corrupted PDF files, making them versatile options.
Advanced Features: For more advanced features such as splitting, rotating, and rearranging PDF pages, tools like PDF Arranger offer a wide range of functionalities.

Online Tools for Both Windows and Linux

For users who prefer an online solution or need to merge files across different operating systems, online tools can be very convenient.

Smallpdf

Smallpdf is a popular online tool that allows you to merge PDF files securely:

Upload Files: Drag and drop the PDF files you want to merge into the Smallpdf merger.
Arrange Files: Rearrange or delete single pages and files as needed.
Merge Files: Click “Finish” to merge your documents.
Download: Download or share your merged PDF when ready.

This approach ensures that you can combine PDF files without the need for any software installation, making it accessible from any device with a web browser.