Recommended Free Tools
To merge PDFs or select pages from them, use Preview’s thumbnail sidebar. To turn a selection of different files into one PDF, use Finder’s Create PDF quick action. Before editing in Preview, duplicate any files you need to keep unchanged: Preview saves changes automatically.
Merge PDFs or selected pages in Preview
Preview lets you add an entire PDF or only the pages you choose, and place them where you want in the destination document. The steps below follow Apple’s Preview instructions for combining PDFs.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Protect the originals first
Preview saves changes automatically. If you want to preserve an original, open it in Preview and choose File > Duplicate before combining pages. Work with the duplicate instead of the original.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Add pages from another PDF
- Open the PDFs in Preview.
- In each open PDF, choose View > Thumbnails to show page thumbnails in the sidebar.
- In the source PDF’s sidebar, select the page thumbnails to add. To select nonadjacent pages, hold Command while clicking each thumbnail.
- Drag the selected thumbnails into the destination PDF’s sidebar. Drop them at the end of the document or between the pages where they should appear.
- To change the order, drag thumbnails within the destination sidebar.
To insert every page from another PDF, you can instead drag that PDF’s icon from Finder into the sidebar of the open destination document.
#1 Best Overall
![Corel PDF Fusion - PDF Creator Toolkit [PC Disc]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51YTjW7jL6L._SL160_.jpg)
- Assemble, edit, and create PDFs with this easy to use, all in one PDF creator
- Open and view over 100 file types, without purchasing additional software
- Drag and drop multiple different file types into one PDF document
- Easily add new text and comments to PDFs
- Share your created documents with anyone in PDF, PDF/A, XPS or Microsoft Word formats
Create one PDF from several files in Finder
Use Finder when your goal is to make a PDF from a selection of files rather than manually insert pages in Preview. Apple documents this option for selected files, including files such as images that can be included in a generated PDF. See Apple’s Finder instructions for combining files into a PDF.
- In Finder, select the files you want in the PDF.
- Control-click the selection.
- Choose Quick Actions > Create PDF.
The resulting PDF follows the order in which the files were selected. Finder names the new file similarly to the first selected file.
Quick Recap
Best Value
![WavePad Audio Editing Software - Professional Audio and Music Editor for Anyone [Download]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/B1fcLEGCs6S.png._SL160_.png)
- Full-featured professional audio and music editor that lets you record and edit music, voice and other audio recordings
- Add effects like echo, amplification, noise reduction, normalize, equalizer, envelope, reverb, echo, reverse and more
- Supports all popular audio formats including, wav, mp3, vox, gsm, wma, real audio, au, aif, flac, ogg and more
- Sound editing functions include cut, copy, paste, delete, insert, silence, auto-trim and more
- Integrated VST plugin support gives professionals access to thousands of additional tools and effects
Rank #3
![MixPad Free Multitrack Recording Studio and Music Mixing Software [Download]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71ltIxIuz1L._SL160_.jpg)
- Create a mix using audio, music and voice tracks and recordings.
- Customize your tracks with amazing effects and helpful editing tools.
- Use tools like the Beat Maker and Midi Creator.
- Work efficiently by using Bookmarks and tools like Effect Chain, which allow you to apply multiple effects at a time
- Use one of the many other NCH multimedia applications that are integrated with MixPad.
Rank #2
- Save money by using PDF Fusion to view over 100 file formats without having to purchase additional software
- Merge incompatible files quickly and easily by dragging and dropping in PDF Fusion to create a new PDF documents
- Save time with PDF Fusion's editing tools to reuse the content from existing documents without starting from scratch
Choose the workflow that fits your files
| Your goal | Use | How ordering works |
|---|---|---|
| Merge whole PDFs or choose particular pages | Preview thumbnails | Choose pages, set their insertion point, and drag thumbnails to arrange the final order. |
| Make one PDF from several selected files | Finder > Quick Actions > Create PDF | The PDF follows the order in which you selected the files. |
What to know before combining
- Both methods use built-in macOS features; Apple’s instructions do not require extra hardware.
- Apple’s task-specific instructions do not state how Preview handles password-protected or otherwise restricted PDFs. They also do not specify a maximum number of pages or files, so do not assume every protected document will work or rely on an unstated limit.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →
