How to Split PDFs Using Custom Page Ranges in Adobe Acrobat
Question details
The user needs to split a PDF document into separate files using specific page ranges and set up output options such as the destination folder.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat DC
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Migrating from Acrobat Pro XI to Acrobat DC and figuring out the updated process for splitting PDF documents.
- Observed behavior
- Successfully separating a single PDF document into multiple PDFs by custom page limits and routing them to a designated output folder.
Verify that your PDF document is not restricted by a permissions password, as security settings may prevent you from extracting or splitting pages.
Split a PDF using the Organize Pages Tool in Acrobat DC
Use the built-in Organize Pages tool to configure custom splitting parameters and output destinations.
In Adobe Acrobat DC, the page manipulation features have been consolidated into the Organize Pages tool. This is the primary method for splitting documents, extracting pages, and managing file outputs.
Open your document in Adobe Acrobat DC. Navigate to the right-hand pane and click on 'Organize Pages'. Alternatively, you can find this tool by going to the 'Tools' menu at the top left.
On the Organize Pages toolbar, click the 'Split' button. A secondary toolbar will appear specifically for the split settings.
In the 'Split by' drop-down menu, choose how you want to divide the PDF. You can select 'Number of pages' to create custom page ranges, 'File Size', or 'Top-level bookmarks'.
Click on 'Output Options'. In the dialog box that appears, specify the destination folder for your new PDF files and establish the file naming conventions to easily identify the split documents. Click 'OK'.
Click the 'Split' button to finish the process. Acrobat will process the document and save the resulting PDF files into your chosen destination folder.
Split PDFs Easily and for Free with WPS Office
If you don't have an active Adobe Acrobat subscription or find its interface complex, WPS Office provides a powerful, user-friendly PDF editor. You can easily split, merge, and organize PDF pages in just a few clicks.
- 1. Open your PDF in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office, click 'Open', and select the PDF document you want to split.
- 2. Navigate to the Page tab: Click on the 'Page' tab in the top ribbon to access the page management tools.
- 3. Select Split PDF: Click on 'Split PDF'. A dialog box will appear allowing you to input specific custom page ranges (e.g., 1-5, 8-10).
- 4. Export the Split Files: Set your desired output directory and click 'Split'. Your new PDF files will be generated and saved instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Split option grayed out in Acrobat?
The Split option is disabled if the PDF is secured with a permissions password that prevents page extraction or document assembly. Go to File > Properties > Security to check the document's restrictions.
Can I extract just a single page instead of splitting the whole document?
Yes. In the Organize Pages tool, click on the specific page thumbnail you want to save, click 'Extract' in the toolbar, check the box to 'Extract pages as separate files', and click the 'Extract' button.
Will splitting a PDF reduce the visual quality of the pages?
No, splitting a PDF simply separates the existing pages into new container files. It does not compress the images or alter the original resolution and quality of the document.
How do I split a PDF by bookmarks?
In the Split toolbar within the Organize Pages tool, change the 'Split by' dropdown from 'Number of pages' to 'Top-level bookmarks'. This will create a new PDF file for every main bookmark in the document.
