How to Merge PDF Linux [4 Easy Methods]

Written by

Ojash

Reviewed by

Akshat

Last updated: June 16, 2024

Expert verified

In this guide, I will introduce you to four different methods for merging PDF files, from command-line utilities like pdftk and Ghostscript to graphical interfaces such as PDF Arranger and PDFSam Basic. I’ll walk you through each step, ensuring you can easily merge PDF Linux. Additionally, I’ve included troubleshooting tips for common issues you might encounter. Let’s start and turn those multiple files into a single, organized PDF document.

Benefits of Using Linux for Managing PDFs

Linux offers a powerful and flexible environment for managing PDFs, making it a popular choice among users. Here are some key benefits:

• Free and Open-Source Tools: Linux provides many free and open-source tools for managing PDFs. You don’t need to spend money on expensive software, and you can customize these tools to fit your specific needs.
• Strong Command-Line Support: Linux has powerful command-line tools for handling PDFs. You can quickly merge, split, or edit PDFs using simple commands, which saves you time and effort.
• Efficient and Lightweight: Linux systems are known for their efficiency and lightweight nature. PDF tools on Linux often use fewer resources, making them run faster and more smoothly.
• Security and Privacy: Linux is highly secure and respects user privacy. When you manage PDFs on Linux, you can trust that your documents are safe from unwanted access.
• Versatile and Flexible: Linux supports a wide range of PDF tools, both graphical and command-line. This versatility lets you choose the tool that best suits your workflow and preferences.

How to Merge PDF Linux?

Here are the detailed steps for four different methods for PDF merge Linux:

1. pdftk

PDF Toolkit (pdftk) is a versatile command-line utility for manipulating PDF files. It’s perfect for Linux users who prefer the command line or need to automate tasks in scripts. pdftk allows you to merge PDF files, split PDF pages into new documents, encrypt or decrypt files, rotate PDF pages, and much more. Follow these steps to Linux merge PDF pages using pdftk:

1. Open a Terminal window.

2. Update your package list by running the command: 

sudo apt-get update

This command updates your package list to ensure you can install the latest version of pdftk.

3. To install pdftk run the command: 

sudo apt-get install pdftk

After the execution, pdftk will be installed on your system.

4. To merge two pdf files, first navigate to the directory containing your PDF files using the cd command.

5. pdftk merge PDF files into one, using the command: 

pdftk file1.pdf file2.pdf cat output mergedfile.pdf

Replace file1.pdf and file2.pdf with the names of your PDF files.

6. To check if the files are merged or not, run the command:

pdftotext file.pdf -

Replace file.pdf with the your filename that you merged.

Advanced Options and Examples:

1. To rotate pages of the pdf file use the command: 

pdftk in.pdf cat 1-endeast output out.pdf

This command adjusts the orientation of all pages in in.pdf by rotating them clockwise and saves the result as out.pdf.

2. The output will be:

3. To split the page of the pdf, use the command:

pdftk in.pdf burst

The command splits each page into a separate file.

2. Ghostscript

Ghostscript is a powerful suite for processing PDFs, PostScript, and other file formats. It’s highly useful for merging PDF files, converting between formats, and more. Here is the step-by-step guide to merge PDF Linux command line:

1. Open your command window and update your package manager.
2. Install Ghostscript by running the command: 

sudo apt-get install ghostscript

Installs Ghostscript, enabling PDF and document processing capabilities.

3. Navigate to the folder with your PDF files in the Terminal and merge PDF files using the command: 

gs -dNOPAUSE -sDEVICE=pdfwrite -sOUTPUTFILE=merged.pdf -dBATCH file1.pdf file2.pdf

Replace file1.pdf and file2.pdf with your actual file names.

4. The output will be:

3. PDF Arranger

PDF Arranger is a simple, user-friendly GUI application that lets you merge, split, rotate, and rearrange PDF documents. It’s designed for users who prefer graphical interfaces over command-line tools. Here is how to use this tool to Linux combine PDF:

1. Open a Terminal.
2. To install PDF Arranger execute the command:

sudo apt install pdfarranger

3. Verify the installation by pressing y.

4. Launch PDF Arranger from your application menu.

5. Click on the Dropdown Menu and select the Import option.

6. Select files you want to merge then click on Open.

7. Select Save As to save your merged document as a new PDF.

8. Now enter the name with which you want to save the merged file and press the Save button.

4. PDFSam Basic

PDFSam Basic is a free, open-source tool for splitting, merging, rotating, and extracting PDF pages. It offers a straightforward GUI for users who need to quickly modify PDF documents without diving into command-line utilities. Follow these steps merge PDF Linux:

1. Visit the PDFSam Basic official website to download the Linux version.

2. Extract the downloaded package and run the installer script.

sudo dpkg -i pdfsam-x.x.x.x.deb

Replace pdfsam-x.x.x.x.deb with the actual filename of the downloaded .deb package.

3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
4. Open PDFSam Basic.

5. Choose the Merge option from the main menu.

6. Now click on the the Add button to start adding the pdf files that you want to merge.

7. Add the PDF files you wish to merge and arrange them as needed.

8. Click on Run button to combine them into a single document.

9. To check the merged file, click on the Open button.

Troubleshooting Common Issues When Merging PDF Files on Linux

Merging PDF files on Linux is generally straightforward, but occasionally you might run into some hiccups. Whether it’s an error message, a corrupted file, or something else entirely, there’s usually a solution at hand. Below, I’ve outlined common issues and their solutions to help you navigate these challenges smoothly:

• 🛠 PDF Files Not Merging Correctly: Ensure all PDF files are not corrupted or password-protected. If using command-line tools like pdftk or Ghostscript, verify the syntax and order of files in your command. Consult tool documentation for syntax specifics.
• 📂 “File Not Found” Error: Double-check the file paths to ensure they are correct. When using terminal commands, remember Linux paths are case-sensitive. Use the ls command to list directory contents and verify file names.
• 🔄 Output File Is Empty or Incomplete: This could result from insufficient permissions or disk space. Check your write permissions in the output directory and ensure there’s enough space for the merged PDF.
• 🛑 Command Not Found: If you receive this error when trying to use pdftk or Ghostscript, the tool may not be installed properly. Reinstall the tool using your Linux distribution’s package manager and verify its path.
• 📚 Encrypted PDF Files: Some PDFs are encrypted and cannot be merged without the correct password. Use tools like qpdf to decrypt them first, provided you have the legal right and the password.
• 📖 Compatibility Problems: Ensure the PDF versions of all files are compatible with your merging tool. Some tools may not support newer PDF features or versions. Convert your PDFs to a compatible version if necessary.
• 🔄 Rotated or Misaligned Pages: If pages appear rotated or misaligned after merging, check the orientation settings in your tool. Use options to rotate or realign pages as needed, or adjust the source documents before merging.

What Are Some Best PDF Editors For Linux?

For merging multiple PDF files on Linux, there are several robust PDF editors and tools you can use:

1. LibreOffice Draw – Part of the LibreOffice suite, Draw can import and combine PDFs. While primarily a vector graphics editor, it’s quite handy for basic PDF manipulation.
2. PDF Arranger – This is a simple, user-friendly tool specifically designed for manipulating PDF documents. You can merge, split, rotate, and rearrange pages with a graphical interface.
3. Okular – More than just a PDF viewer, Okular offers features to annotate and edit PDF documents, though for merging, it might require a combination with other command-line tools like pdftk or pdfunite.
4. Master PDF Editor – This is a powerful, multi-functional PDF editor. Although it’s a commercial product, it offers many features such as editing, merging, and signing PDF documents.
5. qpdf – While primarily a command-line tool, qpdf is very powerful for manipulating PDF files. It can merge PDF files, split PDFs into separate files, encrypt or decrypt, and more.

Each of these tools has its strengths, depending on your specific needs—whether you prefer a graphical interface or a command-line approach for automation.

Linux PDF Merge: Wrapping It Up

In this article, I have explored various methods to merge PDF files Linux, providing step-by-step guides for using tools like PDFtk, Ghostscript, PDF Arranger, and PDFSam Basic. These methods and tools ensure you can handle PDF merging efficiently, whether you prefer command-line or graphical interfaces.

If you found this guide helpful, I think you’ll also enjoy learning about other ways to optimize your workflow on Linux:

• Understanding how to effectively use the sort command in Linux can help you organize your files by date and time, making it easier to manage your documents.
• Additionally, mastering the find command will allow you to quickly locate specific files, enhancing your productivity.
• Lastly, learning how to compare two files in Linux can be extremely useful for checking differences between document versions or configurations.

Frequently Asked Questions