To add a serial number to every page in one or more PDFs, use Bates numbering in Adobe Acrobat Pro. It applies visible, sequential identifiers to pages and lets you set a starting number, digit width, prefix, and suffix. This guide covers that page-level workflow; a fillable-form field, a single custom identifier, or another PDF editor may require a different method.
What Bates numbering adds to a PDF
Adobe describes Bates numbering as a way to give each page in a set of legal documents a unique ID for indexing and retrieval. In practice, you place the number in a page header or footer area and configure the sequence. It is a visible page mark, not evidence of an immutable or tamper-proof identifier.
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Page marks and output filenames serve different purposes. Bates numbering marks pages; Acrobat can also add a Bates-number token to output filenames to make files easier to identify.
Add Bates numbers in Acrobat Pro
Adobe’s current instructions, updated November 5, 2025, use this Acrobat Pro workflow:
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- Open a PDF, choose Edit, then select More > Bates numbering > Add.
- In the dialog, add individual PDFs, a folder, or PDFs that are currently open. Arrange the files in the order you want numbered; the sequence follows the file order.
- Choose output-folder and file-naming options if you want numbered copies saved separately or named distinctly.
- Click in a suitable header or footer area to set the insertion point, then choose Insert Bates Number.
- Set the number of digits, starting number, prefix, and suffix. Confirm the placement and settings, then apply the numbering.
For an important collection, check the file order and review a sample output before processing the entire batch. This is a practical verification step, not an Adobe requirement.
Choose a number format and sequence
Acrobat’s documented digit-width range is 3 to 15 digits, with six digits as the default. Adobe advises increasing the digit count for large documents so the sequence has enough room. The starting value determines where the sequence begins; prefix and suffix text can distinguish one series from another. Adobe cautions against using the # character in a prefix or suffix.
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For example, a prefix can identify a matter or collection, while a suffix can distinguish a batch. Choose a width and starting number that accommodate the full run, especially when numbering multiple files together.
Set output folders and filenames separately
Use the output options deliberately so the numbered versions are easy to distinguish from the originals. For filenames, Adobe documents adding the token %BATES_NUMBER_KEY% before or after the original filename through Output Options. That affects the output file’s name; it does not replace the page-level Bates mark.
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- Create and edit PDFs. Collaborate with ease. E-sign documents and collect signatures. Get everything done in one app, wherever you go.
- Edit text and images without jumping to another app.
- E-sign documents or request e-signatures on any device. Recipients don’t need to log in to e-sign.
- Convert PDFs to editable Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint documents.
- Share PDFs for collaboration. Commenting features make it easy for reviewers to comment, mark up, and annotate.
Find or remove Bates-numbered pages
Search a collection
Adobe’s search instructions, updated September 23, 2025, support searching for a complete Bates number to locate a specific document, or a distinctive portion such as a prefix or suffix to find matches across a location. See Adobe’s Bates-number search instructions.
Remove numbering
To remove Bates numbering, Adobe directs users to More > Bates numbering > Remove, confirm the removal, and save the PDF. See Adobe’s removal instructions.
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Check compatibility before numbering a batch
Adobe says protected and encrypted PDFs, along with some form types, are unsupported for Bates numbering. Confirm that files are accessible and compatible before relying on a batch workflow. For saved actions, Acrobat Pro’s Action Wizard can apply an action to one or more files, but Adobe’s general Action Wizard documentation does not establish that every Bates configuration can be automated; verify the specific action setup before using it for this task.
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