Free Bates Numbering for PDFs
Bates numbering stamps every page of a document production with its own number, such as SMITH000001, so everyone in a case can point to the exact page. Tabzoola's free Bates numbering tool does it in your browser: choose your PDFs, set the prefix, the first number and the digits, and every page is numbered in order across all your files. It runs in your browser, so nothing is uploaded.
First page will read SMITH000001.
How Bates numbers work
- Every page gets one number, and no two pages in the case ever share one.
- The numbers run in order through every file in a production and pick up where the last production ended.
- The prefix names who produced the page; the digits stay the same width, for example 6 digits: 000001.
- The number usually sits in the bottom right corner, clear of the text, with any confidentiality legend beside it.
Stamp exhibit stickers on your PDFs, build the exhibit list, and tab the paper binders with printed exhibit tabs.
Related: printed exhibit tabs, trial notebook tabs, free exhibit separator pages, legal tabs.
Bates numbering questions
What is Bates numbering?
Bates numbering gives every page of a set of legal documents its own sequential identifier, such as SMITH000001, SMITH000002 and so on, usually stamped in the bottom right corner. It lets both sides, the court and witnesses point to an exact page in a document production without confusion. The name comes from the Bates automatic numbering machine of the late 1800s, which stamped the numbers by hand.
How do I add Bates numbers to a PDF?
Use Tabzoola's free Bates numbering tool on this page: choose your PDFs, type a prefix (usually a short name for the party or client), the first number and how many digits, and press Number. Every page of every file is stamped in order, and the count continues from one file to the next. Download each file with its range in the file name, or combine them into one PDF.
What should the Bates prefix be?
A short, unique tag for whoever is producing the documents, often the party's or client's name in capitals, such as SMITH or ACME. Some firms add the case or production volume. Keep the same prefix for every production in a case and never restart the numbers, so no two pages ever share a number.
How many digits should a Bates number have?
Six to eight digits is common: six (000001) covers up to 999,999 pages, eight covers far more. Pick enough digits for the whole case at the start, because the numbers should stay the same width from the first production to the last.
Can I mark pages confidential too?
Yes. Type a legend such as CONFIDENTIAL or CONFIDENTIAL – SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER and it is stamped above the Bates number on every page. Use the wording your protective order requires.
Are my documents uploaded?
No. Tabzoola's Bates numbering runs entirely in your browser; the PDFs never leave your computer and nothing is sent to Tabzoola or anyone else. Password-protected PDFs cannot be changed until the password is removed.
Is Bates numbering the same as exhibit numbering?
No. A Bates number identifies a page in a document production. An exhibit number identifies a document offered at a deposition, hearing or trial, and an exhibit often cites the Bates range of the pages it contains, for example Exhibit 12, SMITH000451–453.