combining PDFs... no thumbnails?

[wfriedwald]

I am trying to combing a large number of PDFs - all 140 pages of a book - into one big PDF.

I know how to do it using the thumbnails column, but for some reason Preview is opening all of these files individually, and NOT giving me the thumbnail option.

is there any way to do this? Hopefully using preview, although I'll consider any other program of course!

thanks!

W

 

[KALLT]

Have you tried selecting all the PDF files and using the “Create PDF” quick action in Finder (e.g. by right-clicking or using the button in the preview column)? It will combine them into one PDF file.

A more complicated way is to use Automator which has a “Combine PDF Pages” action to merge multiple PDF documents. For example, a custom quick action (just an illustration, I do not know if this works as I think it does, I have not tested it!):

 

[chabig]

Preview is opening all of these files individually, and NOT giving me the thumbnail option.

By default, one page pdfs don't show the sidebar. In the menu bar, select View > Thumbnails.

 

[wfriedwald]

KALLT - yes, the finder method seems to have worked! thank you!

 

[chabig]

A more complicated way is to use Automator which has a “Combine PDF Pages” action to merge multiple PDF documents.

For what it's worth, the Combine PDF Pages action is broken in Monterey. Apparently, it relies on Python, which Apple no longer includes with macOS. The discussion below includes an AppleScript substitute that merges pages.

MacOS 12.3 (Monterey) Automator Combine P… - Apple Community

origin-discussions-us.apple.com

 

[NoBoMac]

Can do it with a Shortcut.