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Bates numbering for PDF documents

Give every page of a set of documents its own number, such as ACME000001, continuing from one document to the next. The numbering lawyers, paralegals and auditors use to refer to any page without confusion.

Free plan with no time limit. Pro free for 7 days, no card needed.

How to add Bates numbers

  1. Choose the documents

    Pick one document or a whole set, up to 100, and put them in the order the numbering should follow.

  2. Set the format

    Choose a prefix such as your case or client name, the number of digits, the first number and where the number goes on the page.

  3. Apply

    Every page gets its unique number, continuing from one document to the next. Each document is saved as a new version.

Bates numbering, done right

  • Across many documents

    Numbers continue from the last page of one document to the first page of the next, across up to 100 documents.

  • Your format

    Prefix and suffix, number of digits with leading zeros, starting number, font and size, so the numbers match your existing productions.

  • Placement

    Put the number in the corner or edge you need, clear of the content.

  • Originals kept

    Each numbered document is a new version, so the unnumbered originals stay in your history.

  • Then redact and protect

    Redact privileged content, remove hidden data and protect the production with a password, all in PDFZyro.

Private by design

  • Encrypted and private

    Every file is encrypted before it's stored, and only you and the people you share with can open it.

  • Your original stays safe

    Every change is saved as a new version. The original is never changed, and you can restore it at any time.

  • No watermarks

    Files you save never get a watermark, on any plan, including the free one.

  • Works in your browser

    Nothing to install. Use it on Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebooks, iPhone, iPad and Android.

Questions and answers

What is Bates numbering?

Bates numbering gives every page in a set of documents a unique identifying number, usually a prefix and a run of digits such as ACME000001. It's used in legal cases, audits and business records so anyone can point to an exact page.

What is a Bates number made of?

Usually a prefix (a case, client or party name), followed by a number padded with leading zeros to a fixed length, such as SMITH000245. Some productions also add a suffix.

Can Bates numbers continue across several PDFs?

Yes. Choose the documents in order and PDFZyro continues the numbering from one to the next, so the first page of the second document follows the last page of the first.

Do I need Adobe Acrobat Pro for Bates numbering?

No. PDFZyro adds Bates numbers in your browser, together with the other tools legal work needs, such as redaction and comparing versions.

Is Bates numbering free?

Yes. The Free plan includes 3 edit, convert, compress or OCR tasks a day, with files up to 50 MB, and never adds a watermark. Pro removes the daily limit and is free to try for 7 days, with no card needed.

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