How do I combine multiple PDFs into one PDF on mac?

Using the Automator application is an excellent, built-in way to combine multiple PDFs into one PDF on Mac. It's a free method that doesn't require any software. The process involves creating a "Quick Action" (previously called a "Service") that you can then access directly from the Finder's right-click menu.

Here's a step-by-step guide to setting it up and using it to combine multiple PDFs into one PDF on Mac.

Step 1 Open Automator: Launch the Automator application from your Applications folder.

Step 2 Choose a Document Type: When prompted, select "Quick Action" (or "Service" in older macOS versions) and click "Choose" .

Step 3 Configure Workflow Settings: At the top of the main workflow area, set the dropdowns so it says:

• "Workflow receives current" files or folders
• in Finder

Step 4 Add the "Combine PDF Pages" Action: In the left-hand library pane, select "PDF". Then, in the adjacent list of actions, drag the "Combine PDF Pages" action into the workflow area on the right . Ensure the action is set to "Appending Pages" .

Step 5 (Optional) Add an Action to Save the File: While the combined PDF will appear in the same folder as the originals, you can add a "Move Finder Items" action to specify a different destination, like your Desktop .

Step 6 Save Your New Tool: Go to File > Save . Give it a clear name, like "Combine PDFs". The file will be saved in your ~/Library/Services/ folder, and it will now appear in your Finder's "Quick Actions" or "Services" menu.

After creating the workflow, combine multiple PDFs into one PDF on Mac in just a few clicks .

1. In a Finder window, select the PDF files you want to merge.
2. Right-click (or Control-click) on one of the selected files.
3. In the context menu, go to "Quick Actions" (or "Services") and choose your newly created workflow, "Combine PDFs" .
4. Automator will run the workflow, and a new, combined PDF file will be created, usually in the same folder as the original documents.

Be aware that the "Combine PDF Pages" action relies on a built-in macOS command-line tool. In some older versions of macOS (for example, macOS 12.3 Monterey), the removal of a default system component caused this action to fail . If you are on a fully updated, modern version of macOS, this should not be a problem. If you encounter an error, it might be due to a change in the underlying system tool that the Automator action uses.