BASALT · JOURNAL
How to combine PDFs with bookmarks on Mac
Combining PDFs is easy; combining them into a document people can navigate is the real task. Reports, exhibits, and manuals benefit from stable page order, descriptive bookmarks, and a consistent visual structure.
Plan the document tree
List files in the intended order and decide which headings should become bookmarks. Remove duplicate cover pages and confirm that each source has the correct orientation. If a file contains existing bookmarks, decide whether to preserve, rename, or replace them.
Merge without losing context
Check page sizes, margins, headers, and numbering after combining. Search the merged document to ensure text layers remain usable. Do not include source attachments, comments, or draft pages that the recipient should not receive.
Verify navigation and privacy
Open the bookmark panel, click representative destinations, and compare page count with the plan. Search for sensitive values, inspect attachments and metadata, and save a new release copy rather than modifying the sources.
Frequently asked questions
Do bookmarks change page content?
Usually not; they provide navigation to a destination. Verify that destinations still point to the correct pages after merging.
Can PDFs with different page sizes be combined?
Yes, but the result may feel inconsistent. Normalize or review page geometry before delivery.
Should comments be preserved?
Only if they are part of the approved deliverable. Draft comments often disclose more than the pages do.
Doing it in Basalt
Basalt merges PDFs locally, helps organize a single release document, and keeps attachments and hidden content visible for review. Download Basalt.
Redaction that proves itself
Basalt destroys the content you mark, then re-opens the file it wrote and proves the content is gone before it saves anything. Your documents never leave your Mac.