Add Bates numbering to existing file names in Acrobat Pro

Last updated on Sep 23, 2025

Learn how to rename files with Bates numbers in Acrobat Pro to streamline legal document organization and tracking.

You can add Bates numbering to existing file names when applying Bates stamping in Acrobat. This allows you to prefix or suffix the Bates number range with the original filename.

Open the PDF and select Edit.

Select More > Bates numbering > Add.

In the Bates Numbering dialog box, select Output Options.

The Bates Numbering dialog box shows the Add files menu to include documents for Bates numbering. The listed file displays Name, Size, Created and Modified dates, and Warnings/Errors details. The Output Options option is highlighted. — Select Output Options in the Bates Numbering dialog box to set the target folder, file naming conventions, and log file preferences for the numbered documents.

In the Output Options dialog box, select Add to original file names.

Enter %BATES_NUMBER_KEY% in either the Insert Before or Insert After field, depending on where you want the Bates number to appear in relation to the original filename.

The Output Options dialog box displays the Target Folder, File Naming, and Log File categories. The File Naming includes Insert Before and Insert After fields, where the user can add numbers as prefixes and suffixes. — Add prefix and suffix numbers in the Insert Before and Insert After fields in the Output Options dialog box.

Select OK.

Complete the rest of the Bates Numbering options as desired and select OK.

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