PDF merging is simple, but understanding all the options helps you get the best results. Here's a complete step-by-step guide to using Rune's PDF Merge tool.
Step 1: Open the Tool
Navigate to Rune's PDF Merge in your web browser. No login or account required—the tool loads immediately.
Step 2: Upload Your PDF Files
Option A: Drag and Drop
- Locate your PDF files on your computer.
- Select all files you want to merge.
- Drag them onto the upload area.
- Files appear in a list.
Option B: Click to Browse
- Click the upload area.
- Navigate to your files.
- Select multiple files (hold Ctrl/Cmd to select several).
- Click Open.
Step 3: Arrange Files in Order
Once uploaded, your files appear in a list. The merged PDF will follow this exact order (top to bottom).
How to Reorder
- Drag and drop: Click and drag any file up or down.
- Visual feedback: The order in the list = the order in your merged PDF.
Example Order
- Cover_Page.pdf
- Table_of_Contents.pdf
- Chapter_1.pdf
- Chapter_2.pdf
- Appendix.pdf
Step 4: Configure Options
Compression
- Enable: Reduces file size, good for email attachments.
- Disable: Maintains original quality, larger file.
Preserve Metadata
- Enable: Keeps author, title, date from original files.
- Disable: Clean metadata in merged file.
Step 5: Merge
Click the "Merge PDFs" button. Processing happens instantly in your browser.
Step 6: Download
Once merged, a download button appears. Click to save your combined PDF.
Step 7: Verify
Open the downloaded PDF and check:
- All pages are present.
- Order is correct.
- Quality is acceptable.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| File won't upload | Ensure it's a valid PDF |
| Wrong order | Drag to rearrange before merging |
| File too large | Enable compression |
| Missing pages | Check source files |
Pro Tips
- Name files with numbers (01_Introduction.pdf) for easier ordering.
- Test with small files first to understand the workflow.
- Enable compression for email attachments or limited storage.
- Preserve metadata for professional or legal documents.
Conclusion
PDF merging with Rune is straightforward: upload, arrange, merge, download. Try Rune's PDF Merge to combine your documents in seconds.