Add, delete, or move PDF pages in Preview on Mac

Managing PDF documents efficiently is essential for anyone who works with digital files regularly. If you are a Mac user, the built-in Preview app provides powerful tools for modifying PDFs without the need for additional software. Whether you need to add new pages, remove unwanted ones, or reorganize existing content, Preview makes the process simple and effective.

Adding Pages to a PDF in Preview

Sometimes, you may need to add content to an existing PDF file. Preview allows you to insert pages from another PDF or even blank pages.

Inserting Pages from Another PDF

1. Open the PDF you want to modify in Preview.
2. Open the second PDF from which you want to extract pages.
3. In both documents, enable the thumbnail view by selecting View > Thumbnails.
4. Drag the required pages from the second PDF into the thumbnail sidebar of the first document at the desired location.
5. Save the file by choosing File > Save.

Adding a Blank Page

1. Open your PDF in Preview.
2. Click Edit > Insert > Blank Page.
3. The new page will be inserted immediately after the current page you are viewing.
4. Save the changes to update the document.

Deleting Pages from a PDF

Unwanted pages can make a document unnecessarily lengthy or irrelevant. Preview offers a straightforward way to remove pages.

1. Open your PDF in Preview.
2. Ensure thumbnail view is active by selecting View > Thumbnails.
3. Select the pages you want to remove by clicking on them in the thumbnail section.
4. Press the Delete key on your keyboard or go to Edit > Delete.
5. Save the document to confirm the changes.

If you accidentally delete a page, simply use Command + Z to undo the action before saving.

Rearranging Pages in a PDF

Reorganizing the sequence of pages in a PDF can be crucial for proper document flow. Preview allows easy reordering with a drag-and-drop approach.

1. Open your PDF in Preview.
2. Enable thumbnail view by selecting View > Thumbnails.
3. Click and hold the page you want to move.
4. Drag and drop the selected page to the desired position in the document.
5. Repeat as necessary, then save your changes.

Saving and Exporting the Modified PDF

Once you have made the necessary changes to your PDF, be sure to save or export the document properly to retain all modifications.

1. Click File > Save to update the existing document.
2. If you need to create a separate file with the changes, click File > Export as PDF and select a new name and location.
3. Choose optimization settings if needed before finalizing the export.

By following these steps, you can effectively manage PDF documents using Preview on your Mac, eliminating the need for additional software.