How to Combine PDFs from Google Drive Shared with Me in Acrobat
Question details
The user needs to combine PDF documents located in the Google Drive 'Shared with me' section using Adobe Acrobat, but the files are not natively visible in the software's cloud integration.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to merge multiple PDF files that have been shared by others via Google Drive.
- Observed behavior
- Acrobat's Google Drive integration only displays files from the 'My Drive' location and does not directly show files from 'Shared with me'.
Ensure you have an active internet connection to access your Google Drive account and verify that the sender has granted you permission to download or copy the shared PDF files.
Add Shared Files to 'My Drive' for Acrobat Access
By creating a shortcut or moving the shared files into your 'My Drive', Acrobat's native Google Drive integration will be able to detect and import them for combining.
Adobe Acrobat links directly to the root folder of your Google Drive account. Because 'Shared with me' functions as a separate directory, you need to link those shared files into your main drive space so Acrobat can read them.
Navigate to Google Drive in your web browser and click on the 'Shared with me' tab located on the left sidebar.
Select the PDF files you need to combine. Right-click the selected files, select 'Organize', and click 'Add shortcut' (or 'Add to My Drive' depending on your Google Workspace version).
Select 'My Drive' as the destination for the shortcut and confirm.
Launch Adobe Acrobat, go to the 'Combine Files' tool, select your linked Google Drive account, and the shared PDFs will now be visible in your My Drive folder ready to be merged.
Download Files Locally to Combine
If you prefer not to alter your Google Drive organization, you can download the shared files to your local computer and combine them offline.
Merge Your Google Drive PDFs Seamlessly using WPS PDF
WPS Office provides a powerful and user-friendly PDF toolkit. You can easily merge multiple PDFs, including those downloaded from Google Drive, without the need for complex syncing setups or expensive software.
- 1. Open WPS PDF: Download and install WPS Office, then launch the WPS PDF application on your device.
- 2. Access the Merge Tool: Click on the 'Merge PDF' tool from the main dashboard or navigate to the 'Tools' tab to find it.
- 3. Add your files: Click 'Add Files' and select the PDF documents you downloaded from Google Drive.
- 4. Merge the document: Arrange the files in your preferred order by dragging them, then click 'Merge' to instantly create your combined PDF.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I see Google Drive 'Shared with me' files directly in Acrobat?
Adobe Acrobat's cloud integration typically syncs with the root directory of your Google Drive ('My Drive'). Shared files exist outside this root directory unless you explicitly add a shortcut to them in your personal drive space.
Can I combine PDFs if they are password protected?
To combine password-protected PDFs in Acrobat or any other PDF editor, you must first know the permissions password and remove the security restrictions from the individual files before attempting to merge them.
Will combining shared PDFs affect the original files on Google Drive?
No, combining PDFs in Adobe Acrobat creates a brand new merged document on your local device or designated cloud storage. The original shared files on Google Drive remain untouched and unchanged.
