The Merge PDF tool combines whole files, in the order their cards appear. There is no dragging, but there are two simple ways to control the order: add files in the sequence you want, or insert a file at a specific spot with the plus button between two cards.
This guide shows each method and what to do when you need to move individual pages.
On this page
Key takeaways
- Files are merged in card order, left to right and top to bottom.
- The plus button between two cards inserts new files at that position.
- Rotation applies to the selected cards, or to all of them if nothing is selected.
- To rearrange pages inside the finished PDF, use Reorder PDF or Organize PDF.
Steps shown in the video
- Click Choose Files and select the PDFs you want to combine
- Each file appears as a card, in the order it will be merged
- Click Finish when the order looks right
- Click Download to get one merged PDF
Method 1: Add files in the order you want
Everything you add through the drop zone goes to the end. If you add files one by one, they land in that sequence. If you select many files at once, the order is whatever your system provides, usually alphabetical, so name files with numbers (01, 02, 03) to keep them in order.
Method 2: Insert a file in the middle
- 1
Move the pointer between two cards. A round plus button appears.
- 2
Click it and choose the file or files to insert.
- 3
They are placed directly after the card on the left, and the following cards move along.
Rotating pages
The rotate buttons turn the selected cards by 90 degrees each time. If no card is selected, all of them rotate. Rotation applies to every page of a PDF card. For a single sideways page inside a file, rotate just that page afterwards with Rotate PDF, which can target odd, even or chosen pages.
Removing a file
Click a card to select it. The delete button removes the selected cards. Nothing is changed in the original files, and you can add the same file again if you made a mistake.
Moving individual pages
Merge works with whole files. If page 7 of the second file belongs between pages 2 and 3 of the first, finish the merge, then open the result in Reorder PDF or Organize PDF. Organize vs merge vs reorder explains which tool suits which job.
Mixed page sizes
PDF pages keep their own size, so merging an A4 document with a US Letter one gives a file with two different page sizes. That looks fine on screen and prints with scaling. A picture added as an image gets a page that matches its pixel size, so large photos make large pages. For even A4 pages from photos, convert them with JPG to PDF first.
Merge order and rotation: FAQ
In what order are the files merged?
In the order of the cards, from the first card to the last.
Can I drag files to reorder them?
No. Insert files at the right position with the plus buttons, or reorder pages after merging.
How do I add a cover page?
Use the plus button before the first card and choose the cover file.
Can I rotate only one file?
Yes. Select just that card, then use a rotate button.
How do I fix one page in the wrong place?
Merge first, then use Reorder PDF to move the page.
Will merging change page sizes?
No. Each PDF page keeps its size.
Can I add more files after starting?
Yes. Use the Add more files area or a plus button at any time before finishing.
How should I name files to keep them in order?
Start names with 01, 02, 03 so alphabetical order matches the order you want.
Order first, polish after
Get whole files in the right sequence while merging, then fine-tune individual pages with the reorder tools.
