How to use the pdf page labels editor
- Choose a PDF (up to 25 MB and 500 pages). The labels it already has are shown.
- Set the ranges. Each range starts on a page and has a style (numbers, Roman numerals, letters or prefix only), an optional prefix and the first number.
- Check the list of labels a viewer will show, which updates as you type.
- Choose Save PDF with these labels.
What page labels are
A PDF can show a name for each page in the page box and the thumbnails of a viewer. By default it is the page index: 1, 2, 3. Page labels let a file show i, ii, iii for a preface, 1, 2, 3 for the body, and A-1, A-2 for an appendix, while the pages stay in the same order. Labels are stored in the catalog of the file as a list of ranges. Each range has a starting page, a style, an optional prefix and the first number. This tool writes that list and keeps the pages unchanged.
In the test used for this page, a 12-page file with lowercase Roman numerals from page 1, numbers from page 5 and the prefix A- from page 11 (starting at 7) shows i, ii, iii, iv, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, A-7 and A-8, and a PDF reader returns the same list. Roman numerals go up to 3999, and letter labels follow the PDF rule: a to z, then aa to zz, then aaa.
What labels do and do not do
Labels change only what a viewer displays and what a "go to page" box accepts. They do not print numbers on the pages. To print numbers onto the pages themselves, use the add page numbers to PDF tool. Bookmarks are separate, and the PDF outline viewer shows them. To add bookmarks while merging files, use merge PDF with bookmarks.
Some viewers ignore labels, and some print them in headers only if told to. If a viewer does not show them, check its settings for "use logical page numbers". The file is changed in your browser, and nothing is uploaded.
Assumptions and limits
- The first range must start on page 1 and each later range on a later page.
- The first number is a whole number of 1 or more. Prefix-only ranges ignore the number.
- The prefix has up to 40 characters and no control characters. Letters beyond basic Latin are supported.
- Labels replace any labels the file had before.
Frequently asked questions
Do page labels change the printed page numbers?
No. They only change what a PDF viewer shows for each page. The numbers printed in the page margins are part of the page content and are not affected.
Why does my viewer still show 1, 2, 3?
Some viewers show the plain page index unless a setting for logical page numbers is on. Check the viewer settings, or test the file in another viewer.
How are letters numbered after z?
The PDF rule repeats the letter: 27 is aa, 52 is zz and 53 is aaa. This is different from spreadsheet column names, where 27 is aa and 53 is ba.
Can I remove labels?
Set a single range that starts on page 1 with the numbers style and first number 1. Viewers then show the same numbers as the page index, which is what a file with no labels shows.