How to Add Page Numbers to PDF on Mac? A Complete Guide

PDFs are widely used to share documents or just as a format for preserving the text's integrity. However, with larger documents, it gets tricky to keep track of pages if there are no page numbers. If you are using a Mac, the possibility of adding page numbers to your PDFs will add to the document's organization and professionalism.

Regardless of the formatting of the documents, it is very important to get the sequence of the pages right.

Here, you will learn four effective ways to add page numbers to PDF on Mac.

Part 1. How to Add Page Numbers to PDF on Mac with UPDF?

UPDF for Mac provides you with an intuitive solution for PDF editing that will suit both ordinary users and experts. One of its strengths is that you can easily insert page numbers to the PDF documents making the files look professional and professional.

For this reason, using UPDF for adding page numbers is very easy due to the laid-down features and tools that it comes with.

There are many options available for the position of the page numbers as well as the format and the style of the same.

UPDF addresses the issue and allows accurate regulation of the pages’ number location and design. Especially, the real-time preview brings the benefit of viewing the changes on the go. It helps to match the result up to the expectations of the users.

Page Numbering for UPDF can help you improve the way you work with PDFs on Mac by saving you time and bringing the documents to the next level. Click the below button and learn how to add page numbers to PDF on Mac with UPDF now.

Step 1:

Start the UPDF application on your Mac by clicking its icon from the Dock or Launchpad. When UPDF opens click “Open File" and select your PDF document by clicking it then click the "Open” button and this file will open in UPDF.

Step 2:

When your PDF opens in UPDF, click “Page Tools" from the left menu pans and select the "Header & Footer” option from the top. Now, select the location of the page number from the “Layout" section and click the "Insert Page Number" button to select the type of page number you want to add.

It will show a preview so that you can decide the best position and type of page numbering. Once you are satisfied with the results, click the "Save” button below and you are done.

With these 2 simple steps, you can easily add page numbers to PDF documents. However, UPDF provides a lot of other features that you can learn about by watching the video below or reading this review article.

If you also want to add page numbers to your documents or try its other features download it on your devices for free and purchase the UPDF Pro version to unlock all premium features

Part 2. How to Add Page Numbers to a PDF on Mac in Preview?

Mac Preview is a PDF viewer that does not require downloading or any payments on apple devices. Its functionalities also include basic PDF viewing and annotating options, which allow manually adding page numbers as well.

One crucial drawback is that page numbers must be inserted for each new page. It is especially needed in large documents this process takes fairly much time. On the positive side, Mac Preview is still an option for simple PDF operations without the use of other third-party online programs.

Step 1:

Open your PDF in Preview on your Mac by double-clicking the file icon or by right clicking. After that, select "Open With” and pick “Preview" if it is not set as the default PDF viewing tool. From the top menu bar, click the "Show Annotation Toolbar” button to get annotation tools.

Step 2:

Now, Preview app on your Mac will start showing different annotation tools and you need to click the "Text” button. Clicking it will give you a text box that you can “Relocate” in your desired location. Click on it to make it “Editable" and add adequate page numbering. Repeat this step for all pages until you are done with the whole document.

Part 3. How to Add Page Numbers to a PDF on Mac with Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat is one of the most popular PDF tools available on Mac and other platforms. It offers a complete range of PDF features.

Adobe Acrobat enables users to input the position, font, and style of the page numbers as per their layout in the document.

In terms of editing, one can make changes on the fly since the Preview window when adding page numbers offers a real-time preview. Adobe Acrobat is a satisfactory tool that can easily facilitate you to add page numbers to PDFs.

Step 1:

Start the Adobe Acrobat Mac application by clicking on its icon and use the "Edit PDF" tool to open your PDF document. When the PDF opens, click the "Header & Footer" button from the top menu, and in the dropdown, you need to click the "Add” button. Now, Adobe Acrobat will display different options to add page numbers to your PDF on Mac.

Step 2:

Choose the “Page Number Format” and “Start Page Number” options according to your requirements. Click “OK” to save this personalization.

Step 3:

The generic font size and style of page numbers may not fit all documents so you must customize them. In the “Add Header & Footer” menu, click the desired option from “Font”, “Margins”, “Color” etc., and edit them according to your preferences.

Whenever you are making any changes, you can view them in real-time in the "Preview” section. Once you are satisfied and want to save these changes to your “Page Numbers”, Click the "Save Settings” button from the top and you will be done.

Part 4. How to Add Page Numbers to a PDF on Mac with Online iLovePDF

Free to use and web-based tool with a simple interface, iLovePDF makes the use of PDFs effortless.

One of the features it has is that can easily insert page numbers into your PDF files. Since the application sits entirely on the web, there is no need to install any software and this makes it a better option for users on the move.

It also enables you to adjust the position, margins, and style of your page numbers so that they will be well-suited for your document content. It is for this reason that a common decision is made to use the iLovePDF service when you need to add page numbers.

Step 1:

Open your browser and go to the "iLovePDF” online tool to add page numbers to your PDF documents. When this website loads click the “Select PDF File” button and upload your desired PDF document. Click to select PDF in the file explorer window and click “Upload” to upload your document.

Step 2:

A preview of the PDF page thumbnails will appear on the screen with “Page Number Options” on the right side. Select the “Page Mode”, “Position”, “Margin" and the rest of the page numbering properties as per your document's content and your requirements. Once you are satisfied with the results from the thumbnail previews click “Add Page Numbers” and iLovePDF will start processing your document.

Step 3:

After a few seconds of uploading and processing your documents, it will be ready for downloading. Simply click the “Download PDF Numbered” button and it will initiate downloading your document to your offline storage.

Final Words

To add page numbers to PDF on Mac has not been easier with the above tools. All the methods have many features that are unique to each one and assist in the customization of the page numbers to meet certain criteria.

However, if you are looking for the best experience not only for adding page numbers but for other PDF features on Mac then you need to download UPDF and give it a try.