Splitting PDFs by range, size, or bookmark — which mode to pick
Splitting page-by-page is different from splitting by file size, which is different from splitting at section bookmarks. Each fits a different job.
Splitting a PDF looks like a single feature but is actually four. Splitting page-by-page produces N files. Splitting by custom range pulls out a known section. Splitting by file size targets an upload cap. Splitting at bookmarks breaks a long document into one file per chapter automatically.
Each page as a separate file
Use this when downstream systems expect single-page documents. Invoice processing pipelines, OCR batchers, signature workflows that route page-by-page. Don't use it for casual splits — N files for a 200-page document is unwieldy.
Custom ranges (1-3, 5, 7-9)
Use this when you know which pages you want. Extracting a chapter, an appendix, a specific exhibit. Watch for accidental overlaps — 1-5, 4-10, 9-15 produces three files with duplicate pages. Our parser flags overlaps; read the warning before clicking Split.
By file size
Use this when the destination has a per-file cap. Email gateways at 25 MB, court e-filing portals at 35 MB. Tell us your target ('split by size, target 24 MB') and we iterate to land just under.
By bookmark
Use this to break a long document into one file per chapter automatically. Requires the source PDF to have a bookmark structure — most exported reports do, most scans don't.
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