Where is Bates numbering in Adobe Acrobat?
In Acrobat Pro, open Tools, then Edit PDF, then More, then Bates Numbering, then Add. The option lives under the header and footer tooling, not under page labels.
How-to
How to Bates stamp in Adobe Acrobat
Adobe Acrobat Pro can apply Bates numbers to a batch of PDFs from the header and footer tooling. Here is the exact menu path, the settings that matter, and where the feature falls short on multi-production matters.
Bates numbering in Acrobat Pro, step by step
The feature requires Acrobat Pro. Acrobat Reader cannot apply Bates numbers.
- Open Adobe Acrobat Pro. The Bates numbering feature is not in Acrobat Reader.
- Go to Tools, then Edit PDF, then More, then Bates Numbering, then Add.
- Click Add Files and load every PDF in the production, in the order they should be numbered.
- Drag files in the list to fix the order, then click OK.
- In the Add Header and Footer dialog, click the footer box where the number should sit, usually the bottom right.
- Click Insert Bates Number and set the number of digits, the start number, the prefix, and the suffix.
- Set the font, size, and margins so the stamp stays inside the printable area.
- Click OK to write the numbers into every file in the batch.
Settings that matter
- Number of digits. Pick a width that covers the entire matter, not just this batch. Six digits is the common choice.
- Start number. The last number of the previous production plus one. Acrobat will not track this for you.
- Prefix. Keep it identical for every production in the matter, including the separator.
- Margins. Leave at least half an inch so the stamp is not clipped when printed or scanned.
Where Acrobat gets awkward
- It does not remember the last Bates number used in a matter, so continuity is a manual lookup every time.
- It does not produce a production index mapping filenames to Bates ranges, which many load-file workflows expect.
- Exhibit labels and confidentiality designations are separate watermark or stamp operations.
- It requires a paid license installed on the machine that holds the documents.
The browser alternative, step by step
BatesTool covers the same job without an Acrobat license, and it remembers your sequence per matter. Files are processed in your browser, so nothing is uploaded.
- Open the BatesTool stamping tool in your browser.
- Drag your PDFs into the queue and drag to reorder them if needed.
- Enter the prefix, the starting number, and the zero padding.
- Choose the corner position, and optionally turn on exhibit and confidentiality marks.
- Click Stamp, then download the stamped PDFs and the production index CSV.
Acrobat Bates stamping questions and answers
Can you Bates stamp in Adobe Acrobat Reader?
No. Bates numbering is a paid Acrobat Pro feature. Acrobat Reader can view and comment but cannot apply Bates numbers, so you need Acrobat Pro or another tool.
How do I add a prefix and suffix to Acrobat Bates numbers?
In the Bates Numbering Options dialog, type your prefix, such as SMITH-, and your suffix, then set the number of digits. Acrobat inserts the counter between them on every page.
How do I continue Bates numbering from a previous production in Acrobat?
Acrobat does not remember your last number. Look up the highest number in the prior production, add one, and enter it as the start number in the Bates Numbering Options dialog.
Can Acrobat remove Bates numbering?
Acrobat can remove numbering it applied through Tools, Edit PDF, More, Bates Numbering, Remove. It cannot remove stamps flattened by another program, so keep your originals.
Why is my Acrobat Bates stamp cut off or overlapping the text?
The margin settings place the stamp outside the printable area or on top of existing content. Increase the bottom margin, reduce the font size, or shift the stamp to a different corner.
Is there a free alternative to Acrobat for Bates stamping?
Yes. BatesTool applies Bates numbers, exhibit stamps, and confidentiality designations in the browser without an Acrobat license. Processing happens on your device, so files are not uploaded to a server.
Skip the Acrobat license
Stamp Bates numbers, exhibit labels, and confidentiality designations in your browser, and export a production index CSV with them.