How to Combine PDF Files in Google Drive

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In today’s era, all information is accessible to us. People find it hard to manage PDF documents. Whether you have to make a customized e-book or detailed study notes, many individuals ask “How to combine PDF files in Google Drive?”

If you’re on the hunt for this answer too, worry not. Today’s blog will explain PDF combinations and why Google Drive is important. This popular cloud-based platform supports document management like no other. Merging PDF files is the secret to simplifying your documents. It improves accessibility and sharing while minimizing clutter. 

 

Readers, students, and professionals should learn how to merge PDF files. This will make PDFs accessible from all devices, combined with other Google apps, and offer user-friendly features. 

2 Methods to Merge PDF Files in Google Drive

  • Use Google Drive’s PDF Merge and Split Tool

The PDF Merge and Split is an add-on tool available on the Google Workspace Marketplace. This Google Docs tool offers free rotate, merge, split, and remove features. 

 

Choose PDF files directly from Google Drive or your computer. But keep in mind that the advanced features are unavailable in the PDF Merge and Split, such as annotations,  OCR, and signatures. Another thing to remember is that the tool can only support PDF 1.4 and older. 

Now, let’s learn how to combine PDF files in Google Drive with PDF Merge and Split tools.

  1. Navigate to the official website of the PDF Merge and Split tool and click on the Install button. 
  2. Click Agree on all the instruction prompts. This will automatically add the tool to your Google Workspace.
  3. Now, drag and drop your PDF files in Google Drive.
  4. Do a right-click on the first PDF. A list of options will come. Tap on the tool to add the first PDF.
  5. Tap on the “Select files, folders from Drive” and add the next files. 
  6. Keep doing this until all PDF files have been added.
  7. Scroll down and click on “Merge PDF.”
  8. Users can rename their files however they want. 
  9. Tap on the “Create PDF” icon to combine files in your Google Drive. 
  10. The output file will be directly launched on the default PDF viewer.

2. Combine PDF Files with Google Docs

The second method will use Google Docs. This Google word processor is already present in Google Workspace. The first PDF file can be imported into Google Drive, which can be opened with Google Docs.

But with this method, the remaining files that the user wants to combine with the first one have to be saved in the image format. Therefore, you will need to convert the remaining files to JPG or PNG formats before following this method. For this purpose, use any converter to mass convert PDF to PNG or JPG format. Afterward, follow the below steps to learn how to combine PDF files in Google Drive:

 

  1. Open your Google Drive and enter the first PDF file there to import it. See the import progress in the lower-right section to know when the upload is completed.
  2. Now, click on the Recent button to immediately upload the document. 
  3. Do a right-click on the document and choose Google Docs from the list menu. This will launch the PDF.
  4. Scroll down to the end of the last page of your PDF document. Tap on the “Space bar” on the keyboard until a new, blank page is shown.
  5. Go to the upper menu and click on the “Insert” button. Now, hit “Upload from computer.” 
  6. Lastly, locate the other file in JPG/PNG format and add it to the first PDF document.
  7. Keep doing this until all pictures are completed. All PDFs will be merged. 
  8. Users can download the file in PDF format by clicking on the “File” button from the top-left section. 
  9. Hit “Download”.
  10. Finally, tap on “PDF document.”

Useful Tips for Smooth PDF Documents Management in Google Drive

Managing your PDF files will do wonders for your documents and is a huge time-saver too. We have written great tips to take advantage of Google Drive to sort out your PDFs. Our tips will make your digital document collection accessible and well-managed. Read them below:

  • Clean and manage your PDF files periodically: Make a habit of going over your PDF documents and removing any useless or old files. Add files in appropriate folders as well. This will prevent clutter and ensure a smooth file library.
  • Write proper file names: Use descriptive and proper file names for all your PDF documents. Their names should have relevant details, such as a short description, date, task name, and anything similar. This will make any file searchable.
  • Make Color-coded folders: Colored folders are great for the smooth categorization of different types of PDF files. For instance, you can use green for personal files and red and orange for work files. Colors are visually intuitive as well.

FAQs

How many PDF files can I merge?

There is no limit to the number of PDF documents that can be combined through specialized software or Google Drive. The limit can depend on the system resources and the size of the files. For instance, big files or combining a huge number of files can lead to poor performance or processing. In this case, merging the files in small batches is preferred.

If PDFs are merged in the wrong order, can it be fixed? 

Merging PDF documents in the wrong order is an easy solution. You can use PDF merging software to separate files into components. After separation, they can be combined again in the right order. Similarly, users can open files in Google Drive and break the pages with PDF Merge and Split, which can be combined again.