What is Bates numbering?
Bates numbering adds a unique running label to PDF pages. It is often used in legal, compliance, audit and review workflows where people need to refer to exact pages without confusion.
Bates Numbering
Add sequential Bates numbers to PDF pages
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Add Sequential Bates Labels to PDF Pages
Bates Numbering adds a unique page label to a PDF. It is commonly used for legal review, compliance packets, discovery documents, exhibits, audits, contract bundles and any document set where people refer to exact pages without confusion.
How Bates Labels Are Used
A Bates label usually includes a short prefix and a running number. Examples include CASE-000001, DOC-000245 or EXHIBIT-0012. The label makes it easier to cite a page in an email, meeting note, review comment or filing checklist. Everyone can point to the same page even when the PDF is printed or split later.
Prefix, Start Number and Digits
Choose a prefix that matches your matter, project or document set. Set the starting number when the PDF continues an existing sequence. Digit padding keeps labels aligned and easier to scan. If a prior batch ended at DOC-000150, the next file can start at 151 and keep the numbering consistent.
Selected Page Ranges
You can number all pages or apply Bates labels only to selected pages. A cover page, certificate or divider can stay unlabeled that way, and the same option covers cases where only part of a PDF belongs to a larger review set.
Review Before Filing
Open the finished PDF and check placement, prefix and starting number before sharing it. Bates numbering is simple, but mistakes are annoying once documents are circulated. If the file is part of a formal legal or compliance process, confirm the numbering format with the person or system receiving it.
How to Bates Numbering
1
Upload your PDF
Choose the document that needs Bates labels.
2
Set prefix and number
Enter a prefix, starting number and digit length.
3
Add Bates numbers
Download the PDF with sequential page labels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I choose the Bates prefix?
Yes. The prefix can identify the case, project, client, exhibit set or document group. Choose a short prefix that will make sense to the people reviewing the file.
Can Bates numbering start from a number other than 1?
Yes. The typical case is a PDF that continues an existing document set: if a previous batch ended at 000250, the next batch can start at 000251.
Can I control the number of digits?
Yes, digit padding keeps labels aligned and easier to scan. For example, 000001 is easier to sort and compare than mixed length numbers in many review workflows.
Can I number only selected pages?
Yes, which spares a cover page, divider or certificate from receiving a Bates label. Check the output to make sure the sequence starts and ends where expected.
What should I check before filing a Bates numbered PDF?
Check the prefix, start number, digit count, placement and page range. Bates mistakes are annoying to fix after a document is circulated, so review the output before sending it into a formal workflow.