Do you want to learn how to merge PDF files on Mac? Whether you want an online service or a desktop program, the steps are easy to follow. They can help you save time and energy.
So, if you're looking for a quick way how to combine two PDF files, this article is for you!
Method 1. PDF Candy
If you’re an iOS user and need to merge PDFs on Mac, you’re in luck. It’s easy to do with a free platform like PDF Candy that offers a comprehensive suite of tools.
How to merge PDF files on a Mac online
- Open the PDF merger for Mac in your browser.
- Click "+Add file(s)" to upload the PDFs you need to join.
- Arrange them in the correct order by dragging and dropping.
- Press "Merge PDF" and download the result.
Using an online service to combine PDFs has several advantages over employing the built-in macOS software.
- First, PDF Candy is free, with no need to download any additional software.
- What’s more, the website adds no watermarks to the output, making it an ideal choice for those who need to create professional documents.
- All your uploaded files are automatically deleted within two hours after you finish combining PDFs.
- The interface is intuitive, making it easy even for those without technical experience or knowledge.
- It's also possible to compress PDF on macOS with this website.
- With this PDF combiner for Mac, you don't need to worry about having versions of the same program for different devices. It works on all Apple gadgets - iMacs, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and even iPhones - Max, ProMax, Plus, Mini, and SE.
Using PDF Candy is fast, easy, and free. Apart from the PDF merger for Mac, it also offers a variety of other tools so you can split or rotate, add page numbers or rearrange pages of a PDF, and more.
Method 2. Preview
If you want a convenient and offline approach for merging PDFs on MacOS, then the built-in program could be a great solution. Preview is included with all Macs, so you don't need to download or install anything. Plus, it's free and will get the job done in no time.
How to use Preview as a PDF combiner on Mac:
- Open the first PDF in the program.
- Then open the second PDF in a separate window.
- Go back to the first file, click the "View" section, and choose "Thumbnails" from the drop-down menu.
- Now drag and drop the pages from the second document into the thumbnails.
- To save the result, go to "File" > "Export as PDF" in the menu to complete merging the PDFs.
Learning how to combine PDFs in Preview is a great option without having to download any extra software or apps. It also makes it easy to edit PDFs and organize them, so they are quicker to find later on!
Method 3. Automator
Apple's Automator program on Mac makes it quick to merge several PDFs into one file. It is a powerful tool that enables users to automate repetitive tasks and streamline workflows.
How to combine two PDF files on Mac with Automator?
- Launch the program from the "Applications" folder and choose "Workflow" as the type.
- Search for the "Combine PDF Pages" action in the library and drag it to the right-hand side of the window.
- Now, add the PDF files by dragging them onto the blank area or by clicking "Add".
- Finally, hit "Run" or press Command + R to start combining all added PDFs.
- Now, you can exit the program. It will automatically hint to you to pick the name and the location you wish to save it to.
The advantages of using Automator on Mac to combine PDFs are numerous. It eliminates human errors, saves time, and helps automate almost any task, like encrypting a PDF. Don't miss this opportunity to try a fantastic tool and merge your PDFs on Mac with efficiency.
Method 4. PDFsam
If you are looking for a reliable and easy-to-use program to merge multiple PDF files on Mac, then PDFsam is the perfect solution. This open-source application is free to download and provides a simple way to combine PDFs on Mac in just a few steps.
How to combine PDF on Mac with PDFsam
- Download the basic version of the application from their website and install it on your device.
- Open the program and click "Merge" in the top navigation bar.
- In the window that appears, select "Add" or drag and drop the documents.
- Once you have selected all of the files, you can adjust the settings, such as adding a table of contents, footer, bookmarks, etc. Then, tap "Run".
- Select an output location and press "Open".
With its user-friendly interface and powerful features, PDFsam is an excellent choice for combining multiple PDFs on Mac devices. Employing this app to merge PDF files on Mac is an easy and free way.
Tips for merging PDFs
- Organize content in a logical sequence (by date, topic, or priority).
- Ensure uniform layout, size, and orientation.
- Eliminate duplicates or unnecessary pages.
- Include navigation aids if intended for others (bookmarks, numbering).
- Preserve originals for reference.
- Inspect the final result for clarity and completeness.
FAQ
Will merging PDF files reduce their quality?
No, combining PDFs typically does not affect the quality of the content within the documents. As long as the process is conducted without errors, the text, images, and formatting should remain intact.
What should I do if the result is too large to email or upload?
If your file exceeds the size limits for sending, consider compressing it.
Can I merge PDF files with different orientations (e.g., portrait and landscape)?
Yes, however, you may need to adjust the orientation of individual pages for consistency throughout.
How do I control the order of pages when merging PDF files?
It’s important to ensure that you select the files in the desired sequence to control the page order in the final result.
Can I combine PDFs with different content types (e.g., text, images, forms)?
Yes, all elements will remain functional and visible in the final output.
How to merge PDF files on Mac: final words
In conclusion, merging PDFs is a fairly straightforward process as long as you know the right tools.
Whether you use an online method or pick software, try the platforms described above. With these detailed guides, you should now be able to successfully join PDFs with ease!
Do not forget to check other PDF tools that you may need:
- Compress PDF - Reduce the size by compressing its images and fonts.
- Convert PDF to DOC - Turn PDFs into editable Microsoft Word documents.
- Resize PDF - Adjust the page size of your file to keep consistency throughout.
