How to Add Page Numbers to a PDF
Page numbers make multi‑page PDFs easier to review, share, and sign. Adding them is straightforward, but placement matters—especially if the PDF is a form with fields near the footer.
Best Placement for Page Numbers
- Use the footer corner or centered footer.
- Avoid overlapping signature or form fields.
- Keep consistent font size across all pages.
Common Methods
- PDF editors: Most desktop and online editors have a “Header & Footer” or “Page Number” feature.
- Word/Docs conversion: Convert the PDF to an editable document, add numbering, then export back to PDF.
- Batch tools: For large sets, use a batch PDF processor.
Things That Go Wrong
- Numbers overlap fields on fillable forms.
- Mixed page sizes cause inconsistent placement.
- Scanned PDFs may not render text cleanly without OCR.
How AutoFillPDF Helps
AutoFillPDF is focused on form completion, so we’re often used after page numbers are added. We can detect fields even when numbers or other overlays exist and still fill the form correctly.
Why This Matters
- No need to remove page numbers before filling.
- Works on scanned and flattened PDFs.
- Clean output you can re‑open and validate.
FAQs
Will page numbers break form fields? They can if placed on top of fields. Use footer areas and preview all pages.
Can I add numbers to scanned PDFs? Yes, but you may need OCR if you plan to edit text later.
Can AutoFillPDF fill forms after numbering? Yes. We detect fields even on complex layouts.
