Best Alternatives to ARTS PDF Split and Merge Lite for Acrobat DC
Question details
The user is searching for an alternative to the discontinued ARTS PDF Split & Merge Lite extension in order to replace specific pages between common and variable PDF forms in Acrobat DC.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat DC
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Replacing selected pages between common and variable PDF forms after the discontinuation of a specific Acrobat extension.
- Observed behavior
- Acrobat DC lacks a direct built-in replacement for the ARTS extension workflow, requiring users to find third-party alternatives or automation scripts for page merging and splitting.
Evaluate your current document volume to determine if you need a desktop application for manual page replacement or a scripted solution for automated batch processing.
Use PDFsam as a Direct Desktop Alternative
PDFsam is a dedicated, specialized tool that handles splitting and merging tasks effectively, serving as a reliable replacement for basic manual workflows.
Download and install PDFsam Basic (free) or PDFsam Enhanced depending on your specific document requirements.
Open PDFsam and select either the 'Merge' or 'Split' module from the main dashboard.
Drag and drop your common and variable PDF forms directly into the file list area.
Manually input the specific page ranges you wish to split or merge, configure the output destination folder, and click 'Run'.
Automate Workflows with PDF-Processing Scripts
For repeatable workflows where manual entry causes errors, utilize automated PDF-processing scripts to read sources and page ranges from a configuration file.
Easily Split, Merge, and Replace PDF Pages with WPS Office
WPS Office includes a robust, built-in PDF editor that allows you to intuitively split documents, merge multiple files, and replace pages without the need to hunt for discontinued third-party extensions.
- 1. Open your PDF file: Launch WPS Office and open your target PDF document.
- 2. Navigate to the Page tools: Click on the 'Page' tab located on the top ribbon menu to access all page management features.
- 3. Select the action: Click 'Split PDF' or 'Merge PDF' depending on your task, or select specific thumbnails and click 'Replace' to swap pages.
- 4. Specify page ranges: Enter the exact page numbers or ranges in the prompt window and click 'Confirm' to apply your modifications.
- 5. Save the document: Click 'Save' or 'Save As' to export your newly arranged PDF document to your computer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Adobe Acrobat DC split and merge PDFs without extensions?
Yes, Acrobat DC has native 'Organize Pages' features that allow you to manually extract, split, and insert pages. However, it lacks the specialized batch automation and streamlined workflows that the discontinued ARTS PDF Split & Merge Lite provided for variable forms.
Is PDFsam completely free to use?
PDFsam Basic is free and open-source, offering standard features to split, merge, mix, and rotate PDF pages. For advanced editing or automated features, you might need to upgrade to PDFsam Enhanced or Visual.
How do I handle large volumes of PDF page replacements?
For large-scale or highly repetitive tasks, it is recommended to use a command-line tool like PDFtk or write a custom Python script. This allows you to feed configuration files into the system to automate the replacement process and minimize human error.
Can WPS Office replace Acrobat DC for basic PDF page management?
Absolutely. WPS Office provides a comprehensive suite of PDF tools, including native capabilities for merging, splitting, extracting, and replacing pages. It serves as an excellent, lightweight alternative for users needing integrated document management.
