AdawatHow to Extract Pages from a PDF
3 min read
To extract pages from a PDF, open the Split PDF tool, add your file, choose “Extract selected pages”, click the pages you want and press the button. They are saved together in a new PDF, and your original stays as it was.
The same tool can also cut a document into single pages or into several parts using ranges such as 1-3, 5, 8-10. Pick whichever mode fits what you need to send.
Steps
You need the PDF on your phone or computer. If it asks for a password to open, remove the password first, because protected files cannot be read.
- 1
Open Split PDF and add the file
Go to Split PDF and drag the PDF in, or tap the drop area on a phone. The tool tells you how many pages the file has.
- 2
Choose “Extract selected pages”
This mode gives you one new PDF that contains only the pages you pick. Thumbnails of the document appear below.
- 3
Select the pages
Click or tap each page you want to keep. Selected pages are marked, and you can click again to unselect. You can scroll through a long document; thumbnails load as they come into view.
- 4
Prefer typing? Use ranges
Choose “Custom ranges” and type page numbers separated by commas, with a dash for ranges, such as 1-3, 5, 8-10. Each range becomes its own PDF, and several are bundled into a ZIP.
- 5
Press the action button
The button at the bottom reads “Extract pages” (or “Split by ranges” or “Split every page”, depending on the mode). It takes a moment for a large file.
- 6
Download your new PDF
Download the file, or the ZIP if you made several. Check that it contains the right pages before you send it.
Which mode should I use?
“Extract selected pages” is best when you want one file with a handful of pages, such as the signature page and an appendix. “Custom ranges” suits chapters: 1-10, 11-24 and 25-40 give you three files in one go. “Every page as a separate PDF” suits a bundle of invoices where each page goes to a different person.
If you need the pages in a different order, or to rotate or delete some, use Organize PDF. To join the extracted pages with other documents, use Merge PDF. And if you want to share a page as a picture instead of a PDF, PDF to JPG converts it.
Examples of useful page selections
Typical choices are 1-3 for a cover and summary, 12 for a single form page, or 5-8 for a chapter. To remove one page and keep the rest, the quickest way is Organize PDF, where you can delete the page and save. In the split tool you can also choose “Extract selected pages” and click every page except the one you want to drop.
Be careful with ranges: each range becomes its own file, so 1-4, 6-24 produces two PDFs, not one document without page 5. If you do want one document, select the pages by clicking, or merge the two parts afterwards. Check the first and last page of the new file before sending it.
Common problems
The numbers do not match the printed page numbers
The tool counts physical pages from 1, including covers and unnumbered pages. If the printed number 5 is the seventh page, ask for 7.
The tool shows a range error
A number is probably larger than the page count, or a range is backwards, like 8-3. The message names the part that needs fixing.
The file does not open
It may be password-protected or damaged. Remove the password in the app that created it, or re-save the file and try again.
Bookmarks or form fields are missing in the new file
The new PDF contains the pages themselves. Interactive extras such as bookmarks and form fields may not carry over.
Frequently asked questions
How do I take one page out of a PDF?
Open Split PDF, choose “Extract selected pages”, click that page and press the button. You get a new PDF with only that page.
Can I extract pages on my phone?
Yes. Use Safari on iPhone or Chrome on Android, add the PDF and tap the pages you want.
Does extracting pages change my original PDF?
No. The original is untouched. You download a new file.