Split PDF by Bookmarks
Review non-overlapping chapter ranges, aliases and front matter
About this tool
Split a PDF into reviewed page ranges defined by usable top-level bookmark destinations. The tool resolves direct and named destinations, sorts them by actual page number and merges bookmarks that start on the same page into one range with visible aliases. Each range ends just before the next distinct start. If the first usable bookmark starts later than page one, the preceding pages appear as a separate Front matter range, so they are not silently omitted. External links and unresolved targets are listed as skipped; a PDF without any usable destination receives an error and a link to the page-range splitter. Child bookmarks are counted for disclosure but do not add split boundaries. Neither top-level nor child outline objects are copied into output. Select the ranges to create, confirm the review and download each generated PDF manually. Source page content is copied locally; inputs are limited to 200 MiB and 80 actual pages.
Scenario Recipes
Split a report that begins with unbookmarked introductory pages
Goal: Avoid losing the cover and preface.
- Open the report and locate the Front matter range before its first usable top-level bookmark.
- Review the displayed chapter starts and aliases. Select all ranges to retain complete page coverage, or deliberately choose only the chapters you need.
- Confirm and generate. Download each file from the list and check its source-page numbers.
Result: A separate front-matter PDF plus the selected chapter files, without overlapping page ranges.
Investigate a partial outline
Goal: Understand which navigation entries can define local chapter boundaries.
- Expand Bookmarks not used as boundaries to inspect external links, missing named targets and invalid references.
- Review the remaining ranges. An unusable bookmark does not create a split point, so the previous valid range can extend across it.
- If the shown ranges do not match the intended chapters, use the page-range splitter with explicit page numbers.
Result: A visible explanation for ignored entries, with a manual path when outline structure is insufficient.
Failure Clinic (Common Pitfalls)
Two bookmarks point to the same first page
Cause: Outline aliases can describe the same location.
Fix: They share one output range, with other titles shown as aliases. The page is not repeated in multiple files merely because the outline contains another label.
Child bookmarks disappear after splitting
Cause: This workflow copies pages and does not rebuild the outline tree.
Fix: Expect both parent and child outline objects to be absent in output. Use a document editor with explicit outline rebuilding if navigation must be preserved.
An outline exists but no chapter can be created
Cause: Its top-level entries may be external actions, missing named targets or invalid page references.
Fix: Use the page-range splitter. This situation produces an error rather than a successful result with zero files.
Selecting a new range removes the old download list
Cause: The previous files were generated for a different selection.
Fix: Confirm and generate the new selection. No queued downloads remain after clearing, replacement, route change or cancellation.
Production Snippets
Resolve aliases and front matter into non-overlapping ranges
text
Input: 6 pages
Top-level outline display order:
Later chapter β page 5
Chapter A β page 3
Nested child β page 4
Same-page alias β page 3
Named destination β page 6
Reviewed ranges:
Front matter: pages 1β2
Chapter A (alias: Same-page alias): pages 3β4
Later chapter: page 5
Named destination: page 6
Each source page is covered once when all ranges are selected.
Output PDF files contain pages without the source outline tree.Frequently Asked Questions
How are ranges ordered and same-page bookmarks handled?
Starts are sorted by actual page number, regardless of outline display order. Bookmarks with the same start share one range and their other titles are displayed as aliases. Ranges do not overlap.
What happens before the first bookmark?
A separate Front matter range covers pages before the first usable bookmark. It is visible and selectable. Nothing is automatically exported; select all ranges if you want full page coverage.
Are nested bookmarks retained?
No. Only usable top-level destinations define split boundaries. The source child entries are counted for disclosure, but output files contain copied pages without the original outline tree.
What if bookmarks are missing or point outside the document?
A document with no outline is reported separately from one with no usable destinations. External links, missing named destinations and invalid page references are skipped and disclosed when other usable ranges exist. Use page-range splitting when no valid boundary remains.
What PDF files can I use?
Choose one unencrypted PDF from 1 to 80 actual pages and up to 200 MiB. Forms, XFA, signature permissions and portfolios are rejected. Rendering also has page-dimension and pixel budgets; split large documents first.
What survives in the output?
Selected source pages are copied in their original order, including text and vector content. The output is a new PDF: document-level outlines, attachments, forms, signatures and working cross-page destinations are not preserved or guaranteed. Review each downloaded file.
Is the PDF uploaded or downloaded automatically?
The document is processed in your browser and is not uploaded. Generated files stay in the result list until you download them individually. Changing the source, selection or detection setting clears old output.
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