How to Batch‑Number PDFs with Hexonic PDF NumbererHexonic PDF Numberer is a lightweight Windows utility designed to add page numbers, captions, and stamps to multiple PDF files at once. If you regularly work with large sets of PDF documents—manuals, reports, forms, or legal files—batch numbering can save hours of repetitive work. This guide walks you through installing the software, preparing files, configuring numbering and appearance, running batch jobs, and troubleshooting common issues.
Why use Hexonic PDF Numberer?
- Batch processing saves time by numbering many files in one run.
- Flexible placement lets you add page numbers in any corner, along the top/bottom, or even centered.
- Customizable formatting supports fonts, sizes, colors, and page ranges.
- Non-destructive output writes new PDF files, leaving originals intact.
System requirements and installation
Hexonic PDF Numberer runs on Windows (Windows 7 and later). Typical system requirements are minimal: a recent processor, a few hundred megabytes of disk space, and .NET framework components if prompted.
Installation steps:
- Download the installer from the official Hexonic website.
- Run the installer and follow the prompts. If Windows shows a SmartScreen or permission prompt, confirm to proceed.
- Launch Hexonic PDF Numberer from the Start menu or desktop shortcut.
Preparing PDFs for batch numbering
- Organize files: Put source PDFs into one folder (or subfolders) to make selection easier.
- Check file integrity: Open a few sample files to ensure pages render correctly and that PDFs are not password-locked. Hexonic can’t process encrypted PDFs without the password.
- Decide naming and output location: Choose whether to overwrite files (not recommended) or save numbered copies to a new folder. Creating an output folder like “Numbered” is safer.
Basic workflow overview
- Add files to the job.
- Configure numbering options (format, start number, location, page range).
- Customize appearance (font, size, color, rotation, opacity).
- Set output options (file naming, destination).
- Run the batch process and review results.
Adding files to Hexonic PDF Numberer
- Drag-and-drop: You can drag entire folders or specific files into the main window.
- Add button: Use the Add Files/Add Folder buttons to browse and select PDFs.
- Preview: Select a file to preview pages and confirm page order and orientation.
Tip: If your PDFs vary in page sizes or orientations, scan a few to confirm that the numbering position looks correct across different layouts.
Numbering options — what you can configure
- Start number: Choose the starting page number for each document (commonly 1).
- Number format: Plain numbers (1, 2, 3), or include prefixes/suffixes like “Page {n} of {N}”. Many templates support placeholders:
- {n} — current page number
- {N} — total pages in the document
- {f} — filename
- Page ranges: Apply numbering to all pages or specific ranges (e.g., 1-3, 5-10). This is useful when front matter should remain unnumbered.
- Per-file override: Some workflows require different starting numbers per file (e.g., continuing sequentially across files). Hexonic supports setting each file’s start number individually.
Appearance and positioning
- Position presets: Top-left, top-center, top-right, bottom-left, bottom-center, bottom-right.
- Exact offsets: Fine-tune horizontal and vertical offsets (in points or millimeters) to align precisely with margins.
- Rotation: Apply rotation to match rotated pages or add vertical numbering.
- Font and size: Select a font family, style (bold/italic), and size. Use a legible font like Arial or Times New Roman for printed materials.
- Color and opacity: Set text color and transparency so numbers remain readable but unobtrusive when required.
- Background vs. foreground: Choose whether numbers appear above page content (foreground) or beneath (background) which can save ink or avoid obscuring content.
Example settings for a professional report:
- Format: “Page {n} of {N}”
- Position: Bottom-center
- Font: Arial, 10 pt, gray (#666666)
- Opacity: 85%
- Apply to page range: 3–end (skip title and TOC)
Advanced features
- Watermarks and stamps: Some versions let you combine numbering with custom stamps (dates, document IDs, or confidential notices).
- Sequential numbering across multiple files: Configure the job so numbering continues from file to file—for instance, file1 pages 1–10, file2 starts at 11. This is useful when splitting a larger document into separate PDFs but keeping continuous pagination.
- Save/load profiles: Save commonly used settings as profiles so you can reuse them for future jobs.
Output naming and file handling
- Default behavior: Hexonic typically creates a new output file, leaving the original unchanged.
- Naming templates: Use placeholders like {filename} or {date} to build unique output names (e.g., “{filename}_numbered.pdf”).
- Overwrite safeguards: Always enable confirmation prompts or use an output folder to avoid accidental overwriting.
Running the batch job
- Review the file list and preview settings for a sample file.
- Click Start/Process.
- Monitor progress — Hexonic shows processed files and remaining count.
- Inspect the output folder and open several files to verify correct numbering and placement.
If something is off, revert to your original files and tweak settings (offsets, page ranges, font) before running again.
Troubleshooting common issues
- Encrypted PDFs: Hexonic cannot modify password-protected PDFs unless the password is provided and the file is unlocked.
- Incorrect placement on mixed orientations: Use rotation or set distinct positions for landscape pages; preview each orientation.
- Fonts not embedding: If a chosen font isn’t available on the system, Hexonic will substitute; use common fonts or embed them beforehand.
- Performance: Very large batches may be slow; process in smaller batches if necessary.
Tips for reproducible, professional results
- Keep a named profile for each document type (invoices, manuals, forms).
- Test on a copy of 2–3 files before running a large batch.
- Use consistent margins and offsets across files to maintain visual uniformity.
- For printed books, prefer bottom-center or inner/outer mirrored placements (if supported) to match binding.
Alternatives and when to choose them
Hexonic is best for quick, lightweight batch numbering. If you need complex PDF editing (OCR, form editing, heavy watermarking, or integration with workflows), consider full-featured PDF suites like Adobe Acrobat Pro, PDFtk, or command-line tools (qpdf, pdftk, Ghostscript) that offer scripting and automation.
Conclusion
Batch-numbering PDFs with Hexonic PDF Numberer is straightforward: install, add files, configure numbering and appearance, choose output settings, and run the job. The tool is efficient for routine pagination tasks, especially when you save profiles and test on copies first.
If you want, tell me the specific layout and numbering style you need (example: “top-right, ‘Doc {n} of {N}’, start at 5, Arial 9pt”) and I’ll provide the exact settings to use.
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