How to apply bates numbers on just the first page of each pdf

[Leo123123]

Hello,

In my legal practice, I frequently need to apply Bates numbering to dozens of PDF files.

Until now, I have been using another PDF editor.
That PDF editor offers a similar Bates numbering tool, but there is one feature I cannot seem to find here: how can I configure the Bates numbering so that it is applied only to the first page of each selected PDF document?

Thank you for your help.

Best regards,

L

[Daniel - PDF-XChange]

Hello, Leo123123

You will need to use PDF-Tools for this purpose, as the Editor can only apply bates to all pages of multi-document configurations (See OVG's post below).
In PDF-Tools, you can customize which pages to apply the bates numbering to, and limit them to page 1 of each file:

image.png

Kind regards,

[Leo123123]

Hi Daniel,
Thanks a lot.
Sorry if this is a stupid question but what is pdf tools ?
I bought and intalled this

image.png

PDF-XChange Editor
Thanks

[Ovg]

...as the Editor can only apply bates to all pages of multi-document configurations.

Kind regards,

Hmm ...

Screenshot 2026-06-15 234318.png

[Daniel - PDF-XChange]

Hello, Ovg

Thank you OVG, I am clearly not well rested enough yet (I was sick all weekend and still recovering this morning).

@Leo123123, as OVG shows above, you can actually do this with the Editor, simply select all files in the list, and then click the "page range" button at the top of the window to modify the range it will be applied to.
You do not need to worry about PDF-Tools at the moment - but if you find you need to perform more batch processing actions in the future, it is another application we offer.

Kind regards,

[Ovg]

... I am clearly not well rested enough yet (I was sick all weekend and still recovering this morning).

That's sad to hear. Get well soon and take care of yourself!

[Leo123123]

Thanks both, that is very helpful !

[Sean - PDF-XChange]