Filings, exhibits, disclosure bundles, client copies: legal work produces mountains of PDFs. Free tools can take care of many routine jobs, provided you understand exactly what each one does. This guide does not give legal advice, and it isn't a substitute for your firm's document policies.
Confidentiality comes first
The tools run online, and some conversions and translation are handled by third-party services. Client documents carry professional duties, so check your firm's policy, your regulator's guidance and any client requirements before uploading privileged material. For the most sensitive files, use your firm's approved systems.
Bundling exhibits and bundles
Merge PDF combines up to 10 files per run, each up to 50 MB. For a larger bundle, merge in stages. Put the documents in order first, then use Reorder Pages for any fixes. Add page numbers with Add Page Numbers, which writes a plain running number in any of six positions; it does not create Bates-style prefixes, so check what your court requires. Our merge guide covers the workflow.
Meeting e-filing size limits
Courts and registries set upload limits. Compress with Compress PDF, starting on Medium, or split a large document into parts with Split PDF. Check the result remains legible, especially small print and stamps. See our compression guide.
Redaction: do it carefully
Redaction failures are among the most embarrassing mistakes in legal practice. A black box drawn over text does not always remove it. Redact PDF draws boxes on the page. To make the result safe, convert the pages to images with PDF to PNG and rebuild the document with PNG to PDF, then test that nothing can be selected, searched or copied. Follow our redaction guide, have a second person review, and follow any court rules on redaction.
Signatures
Sign PDF adds a typed or drawn signature to the first page. It is a simple electronic signature, and it doesn't provide certificate-based verification or an audit trail. Whether that's acceptable depends on the document and the jurisdiction. Read our signing guide.
Making scans searchable
OCR PDF adds a text layer to scanned documents so you can search them. It currently works best on English text, and errors occur, so verify quotes and figures against the original page before relying on them.
Comparing versions
Compare PDF compares the text of two documents line by line and reports lines that appear in only one. It doesn't detect formatting or image changes, and it should never replace a careful review of a contract. Read how comparison works.
Protecting what you send
Add a password with Protect PDF and send it separately. Mark drafts with Add Watermark, for example CONFIDENTIAL or DRAFT. A watermark labels a document; it doesn't secure it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we use these tools for privileged documents?
That is a decision for your firm and your regulator. Many firms restrict uploads to approved systems.
Does Add Page Numbers support Bates numbering?
No. It adds plain page numbers.
Is a simple e-signature enough?
It depends on the document type and jurisdiction, so check the requirements.
Is a black box enough for redaction?
No. Flatten to images and test the file.