Add Bates numbering to a PDF
Label every page of a document production with a unique, sequential identifier, without sending confidential case files to anyone's server.
or drop it here
Files never leave your device · Free, no sign-up · No watermark
How to add Bates numbers to a PDF
- Choose or drop the PDF.
- Set the prefix, start number, number of digits and corner.
- Select Add Bates numbers and download the stamped PDF.
How the number is built
Each number is your prefix followed by a zero-padded sequence, for example ABC-000001, ABC-000002 and so on. Choose the start number to continue from a previous batch, and the number of digits to match your protocol.
One file at a time
Bates numbering works on one PDF at a time. For a production spread over several files, number the first, then start the next file at the number after its last page. Or combine them first with Merge PDF.
Questions about Bates numbering
Are my files uploaded when I add Bates numbers?
No. Scissor PDF runs a PDF engine written in Rust and compiled to WebAssembly inside your browser tab. Your files are read from your disk into the page's memory, processed there and saved back to your device. The site has no upload endpoint, and its Content Security Policy blocks the page from sending data to any other server.
What is Bates numbering?
A legal convention that gives every page in a set of documents a unique sequential identifier, so pages can be referenced exactly during discovery and in court.
Can I continue numbering from another file?
Yes. Set the start number to the next number in your sequence.
Can I number several PDFs in one go?
Not at once. Process one file at a time, or merge the files first with Merge PDF.
Is it free? Do I need an account?
It is free, with no account, no daily task limit and no watermark added to your documents. Because the work happens on your own computer, there is no server cost per file for us to recover.