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Bates Numbering for PDF Files

Stamp a unique, running number such as ABC000001 on every page of one or more PDFs. The count continues from file to file in the order shown.

Drop your file here

Give every page a unique running number, such as ABC000001, for legal and document review work. With several files, the count carries on from one file to the next.

How to use Bates Numbering

  1. Choose or drop one or more PDF files.
  2. Put the files in the order you want by dragging them or using the up and down arrows.
  3. Set the prefix, optional suffix, number of digits and start number. A preview shows the first number.
  4. Pick the position, font, colour, size and edge distance.
  5. Click Add Bates numbers and download the numbered files, one by one or as a ZIP.

What it does

  • Prefix and suffix up to 40 characters each, with 1 to 12 zero-padded digits.
  • Any start number from 0 upwards.
  • One continuous sequence across several files, in the order you set.
  • Six positions: top or bottom, at the left, centre or right.
  • Prefix and suffix can contain Hindi (Devanagari) or Cyrillic text, drawn with embedded fonts.
  • Each file is saved separately with its own numbered pages.

Good to know

  • Every page of every file is numbered; you cannot skip pages.
  • How many files you can number in one go depends on your plan.
  • Chinese, Japanese and Korean characters are not supported in the prefix or suffix.

Your files and privacy

Bates numbers are stamped in your browser and your PDFs are not uploaded to Docshar's server. If you are signed in, Docshar counts your operations (tool, number of files, sizes and page counts), never the file contents. See the Privacy Policy.

Questions

What is Bates numbering?

It is a way of marking each page of a set of documents with a unique, running number so any page can be referred to exactly. It is common in legal work.

Does the number continue across files?

Yes. If the first file ends at ABC000012, the next file starts at ABC000013. Files are numbered in the order shown in the list.

Are my files merged into one?

No. Each file is numbered and returned as its own PDF. Use the Merge tool if you want one combined file.