How to combine PDFs into one file, in the right order

Job applications, visa packs and expense claims often ask for “one PDF”. Here’s how to combine files and get the order right first time.

4 minute read. Updated October 27, 2026.

Lots of forms and portals accept only a single file: a CV with a cover letter and references, a visa application with supporting documents, or an expense claim with a stack of receipts. Combining PDFs takes a minute; getting the order right takes a little planning.

Combine the files

Open Merge PDF and add all the files at once.
Drag them into the order you want, or use the arrow buttons.
Select Merge PDFs and download the result.

Plan the order before you start

If the portal or instructions list the documents in a particular order, follow it exactly. Reviewers often work through a checklist, and a pack that matches it is quicker to approve.

A handy trick: rename your files with numbers first, like 01 Cover letter.pdf, 02 CV.pdf, 03 References.pdf. They’ll sort themselves correctly in your file browser, and you can add them in one go.

Fixing individual pages

Merging keeps every page of every file. If you then notice a sideways scan, a blank page, or a page in the wrong place, open the merged file in Organize PDF. You can see every page as a thumbnail, drag pages to new positions, rotate them, and delete the ones you don’t need.

Photos and screenshots

If some of your documents are photos, such as a picture of a receipt or a screenshot of a confirmation email, turn them into a PDF first with JPG to PDF, then merge that with the rest.

Check the size before uploading

Upload portals often have a limit, commonly between 5 and 20 MB. If your merged file is too big, run it through Compress PDF. Scanned pages usually shrink a lot.