How to Combine Multiple PDF Files into One – With and Without Adobe

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Need to merge multiple PDF files into one cohesive document? Whether you're organizing reports, assembling contracts, or just simplifying storage, combining PDFs is a smart solution. While Adobe Acrobat is a popular choice for this task, it’s not the only option available. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to merge PDF files using Adobe and explore free, user-friendly alternatives like PDFacademy—so you can choose the method that works best for you.

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In this article:

Part 1: How to Combine Multiple PDF Files into One without Adobe?

1 How to Combine Files into a PDF on Windows

If you're managing multiple Word documents or other file types and need a simple way to combine them into one polished PDF, PDFacademy has you covered. This all-in-one PDF tool makes it incredibly easy to merge various files into a single document—perfect for reports, presentations, or archiving.

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Step 1: Launch PDFacademy

Start by opening PDFacademy on your Windows PC. On the homepage, click the "Create PDF" button. If you haven’t already activated the software, enter your activation code to unlock full functionality.

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Step 2: Add and Arrange Files

Click "Add Files" in the pop-up window and select the documents you want to merge. PDFacademy supports multiple file formats, allowing you to import Word, Excel, images, and more for conversion in one go.

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Step 3: Merge and Convert

Choose your preferred conversion option from the "Create Mode" dropdown. Once everything is set, click "Start" to begin the batch merging and conversion process. In seconds, your files will be combined into a single, well-organized PDF.

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2How to Combine Files into a PDF Via Online Tool

Online tools are a convenient and quick way to combine PDF files without installing any software. Here's how you can do it:

  • 1. Open your web browser and navigate to a free online PDF merger, such as Smallpdf, PDF Merge, or ILovePDF.
  • 2. Upload the PDF files you want to combine by dragging and dropping them into the tool's interface or by clicking the upload button.
  • 3. Arrange the files in the desired order.
  • 4. Click the "Merge" button to combine the files.
  • 5. Download the combined PDF to your computer.

3How to Combine Files into a PDF on a Mac

If you're using a Mac, you can easily combine PDF files using the built-in Preview app:

  • Open the first PDF file in Preview.
  • combine pdf on mac with preview
  • Click on the "View" menu and select "Thumbnails" to display the thumbnail pane.
  • open pdf thumbnails for preview
  • Drag the additional PDF files into the thumbnail pane in the desired order.
  • order pdfs and combine pdfs to one document
  • Click on the "File" menu and select "Export as PDF".
  • Choose a name and location for the combined PDF and click "Save".

4 How to Combine Files into a PDF on Mobile Devices (iOS and Android)

Combining PDF files on mobile devices is straightforward with the right apps:

On iOS:

  • Download and install the Files app from the App Store if it's not already installed.
  • Open the Files app and navigate to the PDF files you want to combine.
  • Tap "Select" and choose the files.
  • Tap the "More" button (three dots) and select "Create PDF".
  • combine multiple pds on iphone

On Android:

  • Download and install the Adobe Acrobat Reader app from the Google Play Store.
  • Open the app and navigate to the PDF files you want to combine.
  • Tap the "+" button and select "Combine Files".
  • Choose the files and tap "Combine".

Part 2: How to Combine PDF Files in Adobe?

1Using Adobe Acrobat DC

Adobe Acrobat DC is a powerful tool for managing PDF files. Here's how to combine PDFs using this software:

  • Open Adobe Acrobat DC.
  • Click on the "Tools" tab and select "Combine Files".
  • combine pdfs with adobe acrobat
  • Add the PDF files you want to combine.
  • Arrange the files in the desired order.
  • Click the "Combine" button.
  • Save the combined PDF.

2Using Adobe Reader (Free Version)

While the free version of Adobe Reader doesn't allow you to combine files directly, you can still use it in conjunction with other free tools:

  • Use an online tool to combine the PDF files as described in section 1.1.
  • Open the combined PDF in Adobe Reader for viewing and sharing.

Bonus Tip: How to Overlay One PDF Over Another?

Overlaying PDFs can be useful for adding watermarks, annotations, or combining content from different documents. Here's a quick method using Adobe Acrobat DC:

  • Open Adobe Acrobat DC.
  • Click on the "Tools" tab and select "Edit PDF".
  • Open the base PDF file.
  • Click on the "Add" button and select "Add PDF" to overlay another PDF.
  • Adjust the position and size of the overlay as needed.
  • Save the modified PDF.

Conclusion

Combining PDF files doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. Whether you prefer using Adobe Acrobat or are looking for a free, user-friendly alternative, there’s a method that fits your needs. PDFacademy offers a fast, reliable, and budget-friendly way to merge PDFs without sacrificing quality or control.

Download PDFacademy now to streamline your document management and combine multiple PDF files into one—quickly, securely, and effortlessly!

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