Bates numbering gives each PDF page a unique, sequential identifier, which keeps legal, business, and records sets easier to organize. In Acrobat, Bates Numbering is an Acrobat Pro desktop feature, so start there if the option is missing. The current tool can stamp one PDF, several PDFs, or a folder in one run.
Start With The Current Acrobat Pro Tool
Open your PDF in the Acrobat desktop app, then select Edit, choose More, open Bates numbering, and select Add. That opens the current Bates workflow.
In the Bates Numbering window, choose Add files. Pick Add Files, Add Folders, or Add Open Files for the documents Acrobat should stamp. Select Output Options to control how the stamped files are saved, then select OK.
In Add Header and Footer, click the header or footer box where the Bates number should appear. Select Insert Bates Number, set Number of Digits, Start Number, Prefix, and Suffix, then select OK.
If this fails, confirm that you are using Acrobat Pro on desktop. Protected files, encrypted files, and some form files are not supported.
Batch Stamp Several PDFs
Use the same Bates tool when one numbering sequence needs to run across several PDFs or folders.
- 1.Open a PDF and select Edit, More, Bates numbering, then Add.
- 2.In Bates Numbering, select Add files.
- 3.Choose Add Files, Add Folders, or Add Open Files.
- 4.Set the document order with Move Up or Move Down, or sort by a column name.
- 5.Select Output Options, then select OK.
- 6.Select Insert Bates Number, set the numbering options, and select OK.
Add Bates Numbers To File Names
This fixes stamped output files that need the Bates number in the file name. Open the PDF and select Edit, then choose More. Open Bates numbering and select Add.
In Bates Numbering, select Output Options. Select Add to original file names. Enter %BATES_NUMBER_KEY% in Insert Before or Insert After.
Select OK. Complete the remaining Bates settings and select OK again.
Fix Acrobat Menus That Look Different
Some current Acrobat installs still show the classic surface, where Bates Numbering appears under Tools, Edit PDF, More, Bates Numbering, and Add. The current Acrobat path is Edit, More, Bates numbering, and Add.
To switch to the new Acrobat interface, use View, Enable new Acrobat, then Restart. After Acrobat reopens, use Edit, More, Bates numbering, and Add.
To return to classic Acrobat on Windows, use Menu and Disable new Acrobat. On macOS, use View, Disable new Acrobat, then Restart.
Very old Acrobat 8, Acrobat 9, and Acrobat X instructions point to older Bates menus such as Advanced, Document Processing, or the old Pages panel. For current Acrobat, use the Edit and More path.
Remove Bates Numbering Acrobat Added
Open the PDF that contains the Bates numbers. Select Edit, then choose More. Open Bates numbering and select Remove.
Select OK when Acrobat asks you to confirm. Save the document. Tip: This works for Bates numbering Acrobat can detect as Bates numbering.
Search For A Bates Number Later
Use Acrobat advanced PDF search when you need to locate a Bates-numbered document inside a folder of PDFs. PDF Portfolios use the portfolio toolbar search instead.
On Windows, open Menu, choose Search, then select Advanced search. On macOS, use File and Advanced Search.
In What word or phrase would you like to search for?, enter the Bates number or part of it. Under Where would you like to search, choose All PDF Documents in, open the dropdown, select Browse for Location, choose the folder, and select Search.
To narrow the search, use Whole words only, Case-sensitive, Bookmarks, or Comments. For a PDF Portfolio, open the portfolio and enter the Bates number in the toolbar Search box.
Use Guided Actions For Repetitive PDF Work
Use guided actions for repeatable Acrobat Pro workflows. For Bates stamping, use the dedicated Bates Numbering dialog unless your organization provides a tested action for that job.
- 1.Open All tools and select Use guided actions.
- 2.Choose an existing action, or create one from Actions under ADD AND MANAGE.
- 3.Select New action.
- 4.Choose File or Folder under Files to be processed.
- 5.Add tasks from Choose tools to add, use Specify Settings, then select Save.
Set Up Managed Acrobat Access
This applies when Acrobat comes from your workplace, school, or another organization. Bates numbering still runs in Acrobat Pro, but the tool appears only after the right product access is assigned.
An admin manages users and product access in Adobe Admin Console. The admin assigns the user to an Acrobat Pro product, license, or product profile. The user installs or opens the Acrobat desktop app.
After Acrobat Pro access is active, the user selects Edit, More, Bates numbering, then Add. If Bates numbering is missing on a managed device, have the organization confirm Acrobat Pro access for that Adobe account. Tip: Licensing controls access to the tool; the Bates stamping steps stay the same after Acrobat Pro is available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Bates stamp PDFs in Acrobat Reader?
No. Adobe documents Bates Numbering as an Acrobat Pro desktop feature.
Can Acrobat add Bates numbers to non-PDF files?
Yes. The Bates Numbering workflow can add non-PDF files and convert them automatically, but protected files, encrypted files, and some form files are not supported.
Can I start Bates numbering at a number other than 1?
Yes. In the Bates number settings, change Start Number before applying the stamp.
Can I add a prefix or suffix to Bates numbers?
Yes. After selecting Insert Bates Number, use Prefix and Suffix to add text before or after the Bates number.