Bates Numbering PDF
Stamp a validated Bates sequence on selected PDF pages
About this tool
Stamp an ordered Bates sequence on selected pages, using a Latin prefix, a nonnegative start number and 1–12 digit minimum padding. Page ranges are strict: entries such as 1-3,5 are accepted, while empty tokens, reversed ranges and out-of-range pages are rejected. Duplicates are removed and pages are stamped in document order. The preview and output use the same sequence, whose final number cannot exceed 999999999999. Position and margin refer to the cropped, rotated visible page; existing forms and annotations remain.
Scenario Recipes
Number a selected case packet
Goal: Keep the page selection and first/last numbers auditable.
- Enter a complete page range and a short Latin case prefix.
- Choose the start and padding; check the previewed first and final numbers.
- Create the PDF and inspect every stamped page before distributing the packet.
Result: An ordered stamped copy with the source retained.
Failure Clinic (Common Pitfalls)
A trailing comma fails
Cause: Empty page tokens are rejected.
Fix: Remove the trailing comma rather than assuming the partial range was accepted.
A long prefix does not fit
Cause: The complete stamp must fit the visible page width.
Fix: Shorten the prefix or use a smaller font.
Production Snippets
Selected pages and sequence
text
Pages: 2,4
Prefix: CASE-
Start: 1; padding: 4
Page 2 -> CASE-0001
Page 4 -> CASE-0002Frequently Asked Questions
What page range syntax is accepted?
Use complete page numbers or ascending ranges, such as 1-3,5. Empty input selects all pages; 1, and 1,bad are rejected.
What happens to repeated or unordered pages?
Selected pages are deduplicated and processed in document order. The numbering sequence follows that order.
How large may the sequence be?
The start and final number must be integers from 0 through 999999999999. A sequence crossing that limit is rejected.
Can zero padding truncate a number?
No. Padding is a minimum width from 1–12 digits; a larger valid number is shown in full.
Can a Bates stamp be removed?
Yes. It is ordinary editable page content and does not prove the authenticity or custody of a document.
What files are unsupported?
Encrypted PDFs, XFA and digital signature fields, including empty signature fields, are rejected. Inputs are limited to 200 MiB and 1,000 pages, with an 500 MiB output limit.
Does processing upload the document?
PDF processing runs locally in your browser. Generate a separate result and click Download; keep and inspect the original and output before sharing.
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