How to Create Bates Numbering in PDFs Using Adobe

Learn How to Create a Brief and Record Appendix with Bates Numbering in PDFs Using Adobe

Court rules require all parties filing any document, including a brief or record appendix, in the Appeals Court to include consecutive page numbers in each document.  This page explains how to add Bates page numbering using Adobe to PDFs, which is helpful when numbering a record appendix volume or multiple volumes.

How to Create Bates Numbering in PDFs Using Adobe

  1. Click the "Tools" button.  
Adobe Acrobat Pro window showing the Tools button at the top of the interface, indicating where to begin accessing additional PDF tools.
  1. Click "Bates Numbering" from the menu on the right hand side of the screen. Click on "Add Bates Numbering" from the dropdown menu. 
Adobe Acrobat Pro Tools panel with Bates Numbering selected and the Add Bates Numbering option highlighted, showing how to start the Bates numbering process.
  1. In the Bates Numbering popup screen, click the "Add Files..." button and select "Add Files". 
Bates Numbering dialog box with the Add Files button selected and the Add Files option visible, indicating where to add the PDF to be numbered.
  1. Navigate to the file that you need to number. Double click it to open. 
File selection window showing a PDF file highlighted, indicating that the user should select and open the file to be Bates numbered.
  1. Click "OK". 
Bates Numbering dialog box with the OK button highlighted, indicating confirmation of the selected file.
  1. In the Add Header and Footer popup screen, click into the field where you would like the Bates numbering to appear (e.g., Center Footer Text), and then click "Insert Bates Number". 
Add Header and Footer screen with the Center Footer Text area selected and the Insert Bates Number button highlighted, showing where to insert the Bates number on the page.
  1. In the Bates Numbering Options, select the amount of digits you want the numbering to contain, what page number the numbering should begin on, and any Prefix or Suffix that is needed (e.g., R.A. ). Then click "OK". 
Bates Numbering Options dialog showing fields for number of digits, starting number, prefix, and suffix, with a preview displaying how the Bates number will appear.
  1. Change the font type, size, and color as desired. Check at the bottom of the screen in the Preview pane that the numbering is appearing as desired. When you have your settings as you would like them, click "OK". 
Add Header and Footer preview showing the Bates number displayed in the footer with formatting options visible, indicating that the user should apply the settings to proceed.
  1. You will receive a notification when applying the Bates numbering is completed. Click OK. The process is complete. 
Confirmation dialog stating that Bates numbering has been applied successfully, with an OK button indicating the process is complete.
  1. Open the PDF file to be sure the Bates numbering is present.

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