How to rearrange PDF pages

Keeping your documents in the right order is important, especially when working with contracts, research papers, or scanned files. Sometimes, pages end up out of place and need to be rearranged for your document to make sense. Luckily, modern PDF editors make it easy to move pages around and organize your files.

In this guide, you’ll learn why rearranging PDF pages matters, discover the best tools for the job, and get simple tips for organizing your PDFs on your computer, online, or on your phone.

What is PDF page rearrangement and why it matters

PDFs are popular because they keep your documents looking the same on any device. However, making changes to them isn’t always easy. That’s why the ability to rearrange PDF pages is so useful.

For example, you might have a report where the summary is hidden in the middle, or maybe you’ve scanned a stack of pages and they’re out of order. When you can move pages around, you can put everything in the right place and make sure your document flows the way you want. This makes your information clearer and much easier for others to follow.

Here’s when you’ll find this feature particularly handy:

• Fixing scanning mistakes where pages landed in the wrong order.
• Combining and rearranging PDFs from different sources into a single, logical flow.
• Organizing PDF pages for better structure before a big presentation or print job.
• Preparing files for submission to ensure everything’s in the right place.

Before you get started, make sure your PDF isn’t password-protected. If you’re working with scanned documents, consider using a PDF converter to make your file editable.

Online tools to reorder PDF pages

1. ONLYOFFICE Docs

The latest update to ONLYOFFICE Docs 9.0 brings a highly requested feature: drag-and-drop PDF page reordering. If you’re already using the ONLYOFFICE PDF Editor, you’ll love how intuitive this makes editing your documents.

Here’s how to get started:

• Open your PDF file in ONLYOFFICE Docs.
• Switch to the Page Thumbnails.

• Simply drag pages into your desired order, just like rearranging slides in a presentation.

• Save your changes, and you’re done.

You can also copy and paste pages, annotate, highlight, or insert shapes, all in one place. For more details, check out our step-by-step guide to editing PDFs.

2. Smallpdf and ILovePDF

Both offer simple, visual interfaces where you can upload a PDF, rearrange pages online, and download the result. Perfect for quick edits without installing anything.

3. PDFCandy

PDFCandy is a handy online tool that lets you reorder, convert, and compress PDF files. It’s free to use for most basic tasks, although a few advanced features may require a paid upgrade.

If you’re looking for a way to rearrange PDF pages free, these online options are a great place to start. Just keep in mind that larger files or advanced features might require a paid plan.

Desktop solutions

If you prefer working offline or need advanced features, desktop apps might be a better fit.

4. Adobe Acrobat DC

The classic choice, with an “Organize Pages” feature for drag-and-drop reordering, rotating, or deleting pages.

5. PDFsam

An open-source app that’s great for splitting, merging, and reordering PDFs, especially in bulk.

Reordering pages on mobile devices

Editing PDFs isn’t just for desktops. If you’re working from a tablet or smartphone, there are plenty of mobile apps that let you move pages in PDF files with ease.

6. Adobe Acrobat Mobile

Includes the “Organize Pages” feature, so you can tap and drag pages into place.

7. Xodo PDF

Available for Android and iOS, offering full editing capabilities, including free page reordering and real-time collaboration.

Tips for organizing PDFs like a pro

• Use thumbnail previews to keep track of page flow.
• If you’re merging multiple documents, rename files clearly before uploading.
• After rearranging, double-check for duplicates or missing pages.
• Save your edited file under a new name to keep the original intact, just in case.

Get ONLYOFFICE and organize PDFs easily

Rearranging PDF pages is an easy way to make your documents look better and easier to read. If you need to fix a mistake, organize your notes, or get ready for a meeting, knowing how to move pages around can really help.

ONLYOFFICE Docs makes this simple with its drag-and-drop feature, so you can quickly put everything in the right order, on your computer or even on your phone. Taking a few minutes to organize your PDF can save you time and make your work look more professional.

Try ONLYOFFICE PDF Editor in the cloud by creating a free DocSpace account, or download the free desktop app for Windows, macOS, or Linux to work offline.

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Watch this video to learn more about ONLYOFFICE PDF Editor and its features: