How To Change The Page Order In PDF

By Husain Parvez FormatPDF's Docs Last Update: 09/05/2023

Knowing how to change the page order in PDFs can be crucial. Whether you have mistakenly scanned the pages in the wrong sequence or simply want to improve the document's flow, to rearrange the pages in your PDF can be done swiftly.

One of the easiest methods to change the page sequence in PDFs is by utilizing the numerous online applications available today. Let's first explore various scenarios where you may find it necessary to perform this task and learn how to change the order of pages in a PDF.

Change The Order Of Your PDF

There are instances where you might need to modify the order in PDFs. For example, imagine you have a collection of papers that were scanned and saved as PDFs, but they are not in the correct order. Alternatively, you may need to relocate an important page to the beginning or end of your PDF to enhance the reading experience. Numerous other situations may arise where altering the PDF page order becomes essential.

While there are multiple ways to rearrange PDFs, only a few options allow you to do so quickly and efficiently. The following methods demonstrate different ways in which you can rearrange pages in a PDF file.

Índice de Contenidos

1 How To Change The Page Order Of A PDF Step-By-Step
2 What You Need To Know About Changing The Page Order Of A PDF
3 Change The Page Order In PDFs On A Computer

How To Change The Page Order Of A PDF Step-By-Step

If you find yourself in need of rearranging the order in your PDFs, there is an excellent online tool available for this purpose. By utilizing this program, you can easily sort your PDFs by following these steps:

Visit https://www.formatpdf.com/en/organize-pdf/
Select a PDF by either choosing it from the menu at the top of the homepage or by dragging and dropping the file directly into the "Or drag and drop the PDF here" box.
Once you have uploaded the file, you will instantly gain access to the organizing tool. On the new screen, you will see thumbnails of all the pages in your document. Simply click and hold the left mouse button to drag and move the pages as desired.
Once you have arranged the pages in the desired order, click the red "Order" button to finalize the process. Don't worry if you make a mistake; you can always revisit the tool and make any necessary adjustments.
Once the process is complete, you can obtain your newly organized PDF document by clicking "Download PDF."

Furthermore, if you need to rotate your PDFs, you can also utilize our online tool for that purpose.

Use Our Tool Now: Organize Your PDF Online

What You Need To Know About Changing The Page Order Of A PDF

Before delving into the various applications that enable you to change the order in PDFs, let's closely examine some crucial considerations to keep in mind when performing this action:

Undoing Incorrect Text Copy/Paste: If you have mistakenly copied or pasted text incorrectly, you can easily rectify it using the "Undo" option. Look for the "Undo" button in the "Tools" menu. Therefore, if the initial PDF order was incorrect, there's no need to panic as you can always rotate it again.
Copying and Pasting for a Few Pages: When you only need to change a few pages, the quickest method is to copy and paste. However, exercise caution to avoid duplicating pages. Ensure you remove the original page after pasting multiple pages to avoid any duplicates.
Time Considerations for Changing Page Order: Depending on the number of components involved, changing the page order can consume a significant amount of your editing time. To streamline the process, it is advisable to plan and establish a structure in advance, organizing related thoughts and concepts.
Identifying and Handling Blank Pages: Frequent rearrangement of pages may result in the presence of blank pages. To identify them swiftly, use the keyboard shortcut "Control + G" or "Control + F" and search for the keyword "page." This will take you directly to the blank pages within the document, allowing you to select and delete them according to your preference.
Protecting Data with Online and Offline Tools: While online tools are generally efficient for sorting PDFs, it's understandable if you prefer not to utilize them to safeguard your data. Thankfully, there are both third-party and built-in programs available that ensure the protection of your data while rearranging PDF pages within a document.

Check This: How To Delete Text On PDF

Change The Page Order In PDFs On A Computer

While using an online application is an option to rearrange PDFs on Windows, Mac, and Linux, there are several excellent alternatives available for various operating systems. To assist you in this process, we have compiled a concise guide on how to change the page order in PDFs on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Windows 10 And Earlier Versions

Microsoft's desktop operating system, including Windows 10 and previous versions, offers a versatile method for reordering PDFs and their pages. This method involves using the widely used program Acrobat Reader, which, unfortunately, has many features locked behind a paid subscription. However, if your license is still active, you can still choose to rearrange PDFs using this program.

Mac

Mac operating systems provide numerous applications for sorting pages in PDFs. While using the "Preview" tool is a great option to reorder PDF pages on a Mac, there are other alternatives that can achieve the same result quickly.

Linux

If you are using Linux and want to rearrange pages in PDFs, PDFArranger is a fantastic option. This application allows you to rotate, split, reorder, and combine one or more PDFs on Linux. However, unlike online tools, there is no undo feature, so exercise caution while using it.

Change The Page Order In PDFs On A Smartphone Or Tablet

Smartphones and tablets, whether running Android or iOS, offer valuable functionality to change the page order in a PDF document. In this section, we will explore the details of each platform.

Android

Android users have various programs available in the Google Play Store to reorganize their PDFs. Adobe Acrobat Reader's premium version is often recommended due to its comprehensive features, including the ability to rearrange PDF pages.

iPhone (iOS) or iPad

Organizing PDFs on an Apple Mac is relatively straightforward, but performing the same task on an iPhone or iPad can be more challenging. To accomplish this, you need to download a specific application from the App Store. Conduct a search using relevant keywords to find applications designed specifically for this purpose.

Read More: How To Flip A PDF

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FAQs About How To Change The Page Order Of A PDF:

Can I change the page order of a PDF using online tools?

Yes, you can do this using FormatPDF's Organize PDF tool. Here's how:

Upload the PDF file you want to rearrange.
Rearrange the page thumbnails using drag and drop.
Once done, apply the changes and download the modified PDF.

Will changing the page order affect the content or formatting of the PDF?

No, changing the page order of a PDF should not affect the content or formatting of the document. The process only involves rearranging the sequence in which pages appear. The content, text, images, and layout of each page will remain unchanged. After you've reorganized the pages, you can review the PDF to confirm that everything is in the desired order.

Does changing the page order affect hyperlinks or bookmarks in the PDF?

When you change the page order of a PDF, it can potentially affect internal hyperlinks and bookmarks if they were set up based on specific page numbers. After rearranging pages, make sure to review and update any hyperlinks or bookmarks within the document that reference specific page numbers to ensure they still function correctly. Some PDF editing tools might handle these updates automatically, but it's always a good practice to double-check.