AfroTools / Tools

PDF Bates Numbering

Stamp one PDF or a whole evidence set with continuous Bates numbers, page ranges, formatting, and an audit log without uploading files.

Batch files Continuous ranges Private browser processing
1. Upload and order files
Files0
Pages0
To stamp0
2. Configure Bates stamp
Number format
Tokens: {prefix}, {num}, {suffix}, {file}, {page}, {total}, {date}
Pages
Placement and style
10pt
#000000
0deg
90%
Live sequence preview
000001
000001 -> 000002 -> 000003 -> ...
Result and audit log
Upload PDFs to see the planned Bates range.
Files are stamped locally in your browser. The audit CSV records file order, page, stamp value, and Bates range.
What is Bates numbering?
Bates numbering assigns a unique sequential identifier to each page in a legal, medical, compliance, or business document set so teams can cite pages consistently across a production.
Modernized features
  • Multiple PDFs with continuous numbering
  • Page ranges, exclusions, and skip-cover option
  • Custom template tokens and second-line labels
  • Font, opacity, rotation, offsets, and backing patch
  • ZIP batch export plus audit manifest
  • Client-side processing with local PDF libraries
Privacy
Your PDF is processed entirely in your browser. No files are uploaded to any server. The stamped document is generated locally and remains completely private.

The PDF Bates Numbering tool adds sequential identifiers to one PDF or a full document batch. It supports continuous numbering across files, custom prefix and suffix formats, file/page/date tokens, page ranges, exclusions, reusable presets, and a downloadable audit CSV. It is designed for legal discovery, court bundles, compliance files, medical records, internal investigations, procurement files, and any workflow where every page needs a stable reference without sending sensitive documents to a server.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bates numbering is primarily used in legal and business settings to assign unique, sequential identifiers to pages in a document set. This makes it easy to reference specific pages during depositions, court proceedings, regulatory audits, and large-scale document reviews.
No. The entire Bates stamping process runs locally in your browser. Your PDFs are not uploaded to AfroTools, which is important for legal, medical, finance, and HR records.
Common formats include a matter or case prefix such as "CASE-" and a suffix such as "-CONF". You can also use the template field with tokens like {file}, {page}, {total}, and {date} for document-aware stamps.
Zero-padding adds leading zeros to maintain consistent number length. With 6-digit padding, the number 1 becomes "000001", 42 becomes "000042", and so on. This ensures all stamps are the same width, which is standard in legal documents.
Yes. Upload multiple PDFs, arrange them in the queue, and the tool will continue the Bates sequence across the whole batch. The output ZIP keeps one stamped PDF per source file and includes an audit CSV.
Yes. Choose custom ranges such as "1-3, 6, 9-12", add exclusions, or skip the first page of each PDF. Numbering advances only on pages that actually receive a Bates stamp.
Audit numbering limits

Verify Bates sequence and manifest before disclosure

Bates stamping runs locally and creates numbered PDF copies plus an audit CSV where available. It is a document-control aid, not legal advice or an official court filing system.

Local-first disclosure workflow

Reviewed 2026. Disclaimer: verify with counsel, the recipient, or the filing rules before relying on Bates output. Downloads are direct and source files remain in this browser.

Methodology

  • Applies sequential visible Bates labels to selected PDFs using local PDF generation routines.
  • Prefix, suffix, padding, start number, placement, and batch order determine the final sequence.
  • The audit CSV is a local manifest for review and should not contain raw document contents.

Before sharing

  • Check file order, start/end numbers, skipped files, page count, stamp placement, print visibility, and manifest rows.
  • Confirm disclosure, court, regulator, or client requirements before using the stamped packet.
  • For redaction covers or final packet assembly, continue in PDF Workspace.