How to Add Page Numbers to a PDF
Adding page numbers to an existing PDF is a common need, especially for documents that were assembled by merging several separately-created files that each started their own numbering from one.
Choosing a starting number
If your document includes a cover page or table of contents you don't want numbered, most tools let you start the visible page numbering later, say from page 3, while still counting the cover pages as part of the file. This is standard in formal reports and shouldn't be overlooked.
Placement and format options
Common placements are bottom-center, bottom-right, or top-right, and common formats range from a plain number to 'Page X of Y'. Pick a placement that doesn't collide with existing footer content, and check a few pages of the actual document, not just the first one, before finalizing.
Numbering after merging documents
If you merged several PDFs into one, any page numbers that were part of the original page content (printed as part of the page itself, not added by a tool) will still show their old numbering, which won't match the new combined page count. Adding fresh page numbers on top doesn't remove the old ones, so for a clean result you may need to remove old footers before adding new numbering.
Roman numerals for front matter
Formal documents sometimes number front matter, like a table of contents or preface, using lowercase roman numerals before switching to standard numbers for the main content. Check whether your tool supports mixed numbering schemes if this distinction matters for your document.
