Create Page Labels from Bates Numbers

Overview

Create Page Labels from Bates Numbers assigns PDF page labels based on Bates numbering settings. This is useful when you want the page label panel and navigation controls to display Bates-style numbering instead of (or in addition to) standard page numbers.

The Create Page Labels from Bates Numbers dialog
The Create Page Labels from Bates Numbers dialog.

How to use

  1. Open the PDF that needs Bates-style page labels.
  2. Go to Plug-Ins > Pages > Create Page Labels from Bates Numbers.
  3. Enter the start number, number of digits, prefix, and suffix.
  4. Review the live preview showing the next five generated values.
  5. Click Generate to apply labels to all pages in the document. If the document already has page labels, a confirmation asks before they are replaced.

Options

OptionDescription
Start number The starting Bates value for the first page. Must be 1 or greater. Use the spin control to adjust (range: 1 to 99,999).
Number of digits The total width of the numeric portion. Numbers shorter than this width are padded with leading zeros (e.g. 6 digits produces 000001). Valid range: 1 to 12.
Prefix Optional text placed before the number (e.g. ABC-).
Suffix Optional text placed after the number (e.g. -CONF).
Preview A live preview area that shows the next five Bates numbers based on the current settings. The preview updates automatically as you type.
Configurations Save the current start number, digits, prefix and suffix under a name, and recall or delete saved configurations from the combo box.

Example

With a start number of 1, 6 digits, and prefix ABC-, the first three page labels become:

Note

Existing page labels are replaced by the new Bates sequence across all pages in the document. When labels already exist, the command asks for confirmation before replacing them.

Tip

Use a consistent digit width (e.g. 6 or 8 digits) to ensure Bates numbers sort correctly in alphabetical listings.

See also