Merge PDFs with a clickable table of contents
Combine a CV, certificates and portfolio into one PDF with a contents page. Try the original five-page example and check its links and numbering.
A plain merge joins pages. A contents page also tells the reader where each source document begins. Application Pack combines PDFs and creates a clickable contents page from the section names you enter. It works locally in your browser and does not require an account.
Try the worked example first
Open the five-page sample PDF or download its three synthetic source PDFs in a ZIP. Unzip the sources before choosing them in the tool. Every document is a fictional demonstration; none is a real CV or certificate.
The source order is one CV page, two certificate pages and one portfolio page. The generated contents adds one page, making five pages in total. On the contents page, CV links to page 2, Certificates to pages 3–4 and Portfolio to page 5. Click each entry in a reader that supports internal PDF links.
Build your own pack
- Check whether the destination accepts a single combined PDF, its size limit and any required order. Export Word or image documents to PDF first; this tool accepts PDF source files.
- Choose between 1 and 20 valid, unencrypted PDFs, within 50 MB combined and 1,000 source pages. Use the up and down arrows to put them in the required order.
- Edit each section name. Choose short labels such as CV, Certificates and Portfolio rather than relying on cryptic filenames. The generated contents uses Latin characters.
- Enter a pack title. Leave page numbering on if you want a visible sequence across the contents and source pages; turn it off if it could cover an existing footer.
- Choose Build application pack, open the preview and download the result. Confirm every section starts on the page listed in the contents.
Understand the extra page
With four source pages, the final PDF contains five pages because its first page is the new contents. If numbering is enabled, it includes that contents page. This differs from skipping a cover and starting the next page at 1. To use that other convention, turn pack numbering off and then number selected pages in a copy of the finished PDF.
Contents links, bookmarks and PDF portfolios
A contents page is visible page content with clickable links. A PDF bookmark appears in a reader’s navigation panel. A PDF Portfolio can contain separate attached files. This tool creates one combined PDF with a linked contents page; it does not create an Acrobat PDF Portfolio or infer a heading hierarchy. For a separate flat navigation list, add bookmarks after checking the final page positions.
When to use a plain merge instead
If the instructions forbid added pages, use Merge PDF and retain only the source pages. Do not add a contents sheet merely because a tool offers it. For a meeting reading pack or a project handover, a contents page may help readers jump between documents, but check the recipient’s requirements.
Check forms, signatures and size
Filled interactive forms must be flattened in a working copy before packing; the tool rejects them while fields remain interactive. Keep the editable and signed originals. Combining files can invalidate digital signatures and may lose source bookmarks or accessibility tags. Review small text, page edges, links and footers in the downloaded result.
A combined pack may exceed an upload limit. Compression can reduce some files, with quality trade-offs. Splitting by size is suitable only if several attachments are accepted; splitting a finished pack may also lose document-level navigation. Never omit required material just to meet a limit.
Example produced and checked on October 18, 2026: 4 source pages + 1 contents page, 5 output pages and 3 contents links. Read the example measurements.
Prepared by PDF Tools Club · Updated October 18, 2026. Instructions reflect this release’s controls and limits.