# Page Numbers, Header & Footer — Add page numbers, headers and Bates numbers to a PDF on Mac

Number pages, add a header and footer, or stamp legal Bates numbers. Part of OneMacTools, 151 private tools in one native Mac app (macOS 26 or later); category: PDF. Runs on your Mac; nothing is uploaded.

Add numbers like 1, Page 1, Page 1 of 10 or 1 / 10, or legal Bates numbers (SMITH-000001) that run on across a whole batch of files. Add a header and footer with {page}, {total}, {file} and {date}. Start from any number and optionally skip the cover.

Page: https://www.onemactools.com/tools/add-page-numbers-to-pdf · Download: https://www.onemactools.com/download · Pricing: https://www.onemactools.com/pricing

## How to use it
1. **Add the PDFs.** Drop one or more PDFs. For Bates numbering, add them in the order the numbers should run.
2. **Choose a number style.** Pick 1, Page 1, Page 1 of 10, 1 / 10 or Bates, or None if you only want a header or footer.
3. **Add a header or footer.** Type any text, using {page}, {total}, {file} and {date} where you want them filled in.
4. **Set the position and start.** Choose where the number goes, the number to start from, and whether to skip the cover page.
5. **Click Add.** Copies ending in “numbered” are saved in a dated folder in Downloads › OneMacTools. Check them with the Preview (eye) button.

## Options
- **Numbers:** The number style: 1, Page 1, Page 1 of 10, 1 / 10, Bates (ABC000001) or None. Choose None to add only a header or footer.
- **Bates prefix:** Only shown when Numbers is Bates. Text placed before the six-digit number, like SMITH- for SMITH-000001.
- **Header text:** Optional text centred at the top of each page. {page}, {total}, {file} and {date} are replaced with the page number, total pages, file name and today's date.
- **Footer text:** Optional text centred at the bottom of each page, with the same placeholders as the header.
- **Position:** Where the page number goes: Bottom centre, Bottom right, Bottom left or Top right.
- **Start at:** The first number to use (1 if left blank). For Bates, it's the first number of the whole batch.
- **Skip the first page:** Off by default. Turn it on to leave a cover page unnumbered, with no header or footer; numbering starts on page 2.

## Tips
- Merge first, then number, so the numbers run on across the whole document instead of restarting in each file.
- If the footer and page number both sit at the bottom centre, move the number to Bottom right to keep them apart.
- For Bates numbering, files are numbered in the order they appear in the list, and the numbers carry on from one file to the next. Drag the files into order before you click Add.
- Use a header like Confidential – {file} to label every page with the document's name.
- If a report continues from an earlier volume, set Start at to the next page number.
- Header, footer and number are small grey text, so they suit most documents without clashing with the content.

## Questions
**How do I add page numbers to a PDF on a Mac?**
Drop the PDF onto Page Numbers, Header & Footer, pick a style like Page 1 of 10, choose the position and click Add.

**How do I start numbering on page 2?**
Turn on Skip the first page. The cover is left blank and the next page is numbered 1, or whatever you set in Start at.

**What are Bates numbers?**
Unique, sequential reference numbers stamped on every page, often used for legal and discovery documents, like SMITH-000001. Choose Bates, type a prefix, and the numbers run on across all the files you add.

**How do I add the file name or date to every page?**
Type {file} or {date} in Header text or Footer text. They're filled in for each file, and {page} and {total} work too.

**Can I continue the numbering from another document?**
Yes. Type the next number in Start at, like 41, and numbering begins there.

**Does Page 1 of 10 count the cover if I skip it?**
No. With Skip the first page on, the total counts only the numbered pages.