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Can't Merge multiple PDF files into one file in Explorer

Anonymous
2021-06-01T00:02:02+00:00

As the title says, I want to merge several PDF files into one using the Print to PDF feature. I have used Adobe Acrobat Reader as the default program. The Print option in Explorer doesn't merge the files, it merely prints them to PDF separately. I don't see a print dialogue, only a save file dialogue once I click on print, and there's a separate save file dialogue for each file I selected. Multiple guides online say that selecting multiple files, right clicking and selecting Print will merge them into one. I have personally experienced this behaviour before with images on Windows 10. What is going wrong here?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Files, folders, and storage

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  1. Anonymous
    2021-06-01T04:57:45+00:00

    Hi Greg,

    All the links you have provided (some of which I have tried before and found lacking) ask that I install a third-party piece of software. I don't want to do that. I would prefer to be able to complete this task within File Explorer itself since I need to do it constantly and consistently offline.

    As evidenced by the article in this link, according to a vendor of a PDF software themselves, it is possible to do the same task in Windows Explorer. This is listed as Method 2 at https://pdf.iskysoft.com/edit-pdf/merge-pdf-on-windows.html They seem to be saying that Windows is natively capable of merging PDF files into a single PDF using Print. So what should I believe?

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-06-01T13:46:35+00:00

    The online Adobe app is breaking the formatting of the PDF I have, and the same is true for a large number of the methods available. Even bringing it into word is completely ruining the formatting. The PDF files are produced by a screenwriting app called Trelby (its an old app that is no longer being developed) and they have to maintain a specific formatting for me to submit them to my school. I can't change the primary tool I have been using so far, and the PDFs that Trelby produces on its own are okay, but I need to add written text, commentary etc. after my scripts. So I was hoping a built-in function that simply appends the pages it receives without any modification would be there so I can submit this headache once and for all. Seems like I will have to do something else. Thank you for responding.

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  3. Anonymous
    2021-06-01T05:40:08+00:00

    The tool to use is Adobe Acrobat Pro DC that gives complete control on PDF files : merging, sorting, modifying, file permissions, ... needs a subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud.

    Microsoft Edge is a nice tool for viewing files on any supported platform and W10 printing interface gives possibility to create PDF files. You can open PDF files in Word, cut, copy, paste but File Explorer isn't a perfect Swiss knife ... PDF files use a sophisticated format underneath explaining the need of a sophisticated tool to cleanly edit them.

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  4. Anonymous
    2021-06-01T05:07:21+00:00

    Yeah I didn't include that method because it didn't work for me. It won't allow Print PDF from multiple chosen PDF's. Got to open them individually. Personally I would copy and paste them into a Word document to merge them.

    You said you have Adobe as your PDF app. Why would you not want to use their online combine PDF utility which is what they want you to use?

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  5. Anonymous
    2021-06-01T00:39:46+00:00

    Hi Anand. I'm Greg, an Independent Advisor.

    See here various ways to combine PDF files:

    https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-combine-pdf...

    https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/online/merge-pdf....

    https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-combine-mult...

    One of those should work for you. Based on the results you post back I may have other suggestions if necessary.

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