How to split a PDF into separate files

A single scan often contains several unrelated documents. Splitting them apart makes each one sendable on its own, and much smaller.

Split a PDF
Whichever tool you use here, the file stays on your device. How that works

Step by step

  1. 1Add the PDF and check its physical page count. Page 1 means the first file page, not a printed label.
  2. 2Enter a range such as 1-3, 7, 10-12 or select page thumbnails.
  3. 3Extract the selected pages as one PDF and inspect the saved result.
  4. 4Choose every-page splitting for one PDF per page. Repeat extraction with different ranges for several multi-page documents.

One scan, several documents

Every-page splitting creates an individual PDF per physical page, not grouped chapters. Check several downloaded files and their names before attaching them.

Ranges use physical page indices. Nonexistent pages are ignored and repeated numbers are removed.

All content on a kept page remains. Selecting pages is not redaction.

Naming and keeping track

Splitting every page saves one file per page, named after the original with the page number added. The files are saved one at a time rather than in a zip, so your browser may ask you to allow several downloads, and it is worth saving them into one folder.

If you have a scan that is really several documents, such as a set of receipts, use ranges to split it by document instead of by page, so each file keeps its pages together. The pages are copied rather than redrawn, so any text in them stays selectable.

Questions

Can one range produce several multi-page files?

No. It creates one selected-page PDF. Repeat with another range, or use every-page splitting for individual files.

What if the PDF will not split?

A PDF that needs a password to open must be unlocked first with Protect PDF. For a very long document the thumbnails can take a moment, and you can still type the page numbers yourself.

Can I get the pages as a zip?

Not at the moment. Each file is saved separately, one after another.

Related jobs and next steps

How to take certain pages out of a PDFSend one page of a statement instead of the whole document. Here is how to pull out exactly the pages you need, on your own device.How to delete a page from a PDFRemove a blank page, a duplicate scan or a page you do not want to send, and save the rest as a clean PDF. Runs on your own device.How to send only part of a bank statementPull out the pages an agency actually asked for, so you are not handing over months of unrelated spending. Never uploaded.

Tools that help with this job

Split a PDF
Merge PDFCombine files into one, in any orderRotate & reorderTurn pages and reorder with arrowsCompress PDFGet under an email or upload limitPDF to JPGExport every page as an image