Bates Numbering PDF Tool
Bates numbering stamps a unique, sequential identifier on every page of a docume
Bates numbering stamps a unique, sequential identifier on every page of a docume
How to use Bates Numbering PDF Tool
- Choose one or more PDF files to number.
- Set the prefix, starting number, digits, and stamp position.
- Click Apply Bates numbers and download the stamped PDF.
About Bates Numbering PDF Tool
Bates numbering stamps a unique, sequential identifier on every page of a document set — the standard way legal, discovery, and medical records are indexed so any page can be cited exactly. This tool applies that numbering to your PDFs entirely in your browser. You set a prefix (like ABC), an optional suffix, a starting number, and how many digits to zero-pad to, and every page gets a label such as ABC000001, ABC000002, and so on.
You can load a single PDF or several at once. When you add multiple files they are numbered continuously in the order shown and merged into one output PDF, so a 10-page and a 5-page file produce a single 15-page document with an unbroken Bates range. You control where the stamp sits — bottom-right is the legal convention — and the font size. A live preview shows the first and last Bates number before you commit.
Everything happens locally using pdf-lib; nothing is uploaded, which matters for confidential or privileged material. Limits worth knowing: the stamp is drawn as visible black Helvetica text (not a separate metadata layer), it cannot open password-protected PDFs, and it does not redact — it only adds numbers on top of existing content. For firm-wide production with load files or confidentiality legends, use dedicated e-discovery software.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Bates numbering and who uses it?
- Bates numbering places a unique sequential number on each page of a document, usually with a fixed prefix and zero-padding (e.g. ABC000123). It is standard in law, e-discovery, accounting, and medical records so that any single page can be referenced unambiguously.
- Can I number several PDFs in one continuous sequence?
- Yes. Add multiple files and they are numbered continuously in the order listed, then combined into one output PDF. So if the first file ends at ABC000010, the next file starts at ABC000011.
- Are my documents uploaded anywhere?
- No. The numbering runs entirely in your browser using JavaScript — your PDFs never leave your device and nothing is sent to a server, which is important for confidential or privileged files.
- How do I control the format like ABC000001?
- Set the prefix (ABC), the starting number (1), and the number of digits for zero-padding (6). You can also add an optional suffix. The preview shows the exact first and last labels before you apply them.
- Why won't my PDF open?
- Password-protected or encrypted PDFs cannot be edited here. Open the file in a viewer with the password, use Print to Save as PDF to make an unprotected copy, then try again.
- Does this redact or only add numbers?
- It only stamps visible Bates numbers on top of your pages. It does not redact, remove, or alter existing content, and it is not a substitute for full e-discovery production software.