Add Bates stamps, exhibit labels, and confidentiality notices to legal PDFs with drag-to-reorder batch processing
WhiskFile Bates Numbering PDF is a free online tool to add Bates stamps, exhibit labels, and confidentiality notices to legal PDFs with drag-to-reorder batch processing. Files are processed entirely in your browser — nothing is uploaded to any server.
Quick Answer
Add Bates stamps, exhibit labels, and confidentiality notices to legal PDFs with drag-to-reorder batch processing. WhiskFile's Bates Numbering PDF is free, works in your browser, and requires no account. Your files never leave your device — all processing happens locally.
Upload PDF files
Drag and drop or browse to select one or more PDF documents for Bates numbering.
Choose Bates format
Select a preset (BATES-000001, Exhibit, CASE, DOC, numeric) or customize prefix, suffix, separator, and digit padding (3–10).
Set starting number
Enter the starting Bates number and reorder files by dragging to control the numbering sequence.
Add exhibit stamps
Optionally enable exhibit stamps with auto-increment labels (A→B→C or 1→2→3) on all pages or first page only.
Add confidentiality notices
Optionally select a confidentiality preset (CONFIDENTIAL, ATTORNEY EYES ONLY, PRIVILEGED, PROTECTIVE ORDER) or enter custom notice text.
Customize appearance
Set position, font, size, color, and bold/italic for each stamp type independently. Optionally append a date stamp.
Preview and download
Check the live preview and projected Bates ranges, then download individually or as ZIP.
Max file size: 50 MB (free) · 500 MB (paid). Processing time: ~3s on average. Batch processing: upload multiple files at once.
Bates Numbering PDF runs entirely in your browser — no software to install. Works on any device with a modern browser.
Windows & Mac
Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari
iPhone & Android
Safari, Chrome mobile
iPad & Tablets
Full touch support
Unlike server-based tools that upload your documents, WhiskFile processes everything locally in your browser. Your files never leave your device — not even temporarily.
No upload required
Files are processed in your browser — nothing is sent to any server
100% private
No server storage, no data collection, no third-party access
Works offline
Once loaded, works without an internet connection
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Client-side processing
This tool now runs entirely in your browser — files never leave your device.
Result preview & sharing
Preview your processed file before downloading, and share results via a secure link.
Bates numbering is a legal document identification system that assigns unique sequential numbers to each page. Used in litigation, discovery, depositions, and regulatory compliance to create an unalterable page reference system. WhiskFile adds Bates numbers directly in your browser — no upload needed.
While not always legally mandated, Bates numbering is standard practice in litigation discovery, court filings, and regulatory proceedings. Most courts expect Bates-stamped documents for exhibit references. Federal Rules of Civil Procedure reference document identification systems that Bates numbering fulfills.
Page numbering restarts at 1 for each document. Bates numbering assigns continuous, unique identifiers across an entire document set — often with prefixes (CASE-000001), making every page uniquely identifiable across thousands of documents in litigation.
Yes — WhiskFile combines Bates numbering with exhibit stamps. Exhibit labels auto-increment (A→B→C or 1→2→3) across files, with independent position, size, and color. Apply to all pages or first page only.
5 built-in presets: CONFIDENTIAL, ATTORNEY EYES ONLY, HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL, ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGED, and SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER. Plus custom text. Each notice has independent position, font size, and color controls.
Yes. Upload multiple PDFs, drag to reorder, and WhiskFile applies continuous sequential numbering across all files. Projected Bates ranges show exactly which numbers each document will receive before processing.
5 presets (BATES-000001, Exhibit 000001, CASE-000001, DOC-000001, plain 000001) plus full customization: prefix, suffix, custom separator, 3–10 digit padding, starting number. Add date stamps in 4 formats.
No. WhiskFile processes everything in your browser using client-side JavaScript. Your PDFs, attorney-client privileged materials, and confidential documents never leave your device. No upload, no server storage, no data retention.
Yes. Because processing is 100% client-side (in your browser), documents marked ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGED or ATTORNEY EYES ONLY never touch any server. This is safer than server-based alternatives like Sejda or Adobe's cloud tools.
Adobe Acrobat Pro requires a $19.99/month subscription and desktop installation. WhiskFile is free, works in any browser, and includes exhibit stamps and confidentiality notices that Adobe lacks. Both offer prefix/suffix/padding customization.
No. WhiskFile provides professional-grade Bates numbering free — with features like exhibit stamps, confidentiality notices, and projected ranges that even paid software often lacks. No subscription, no installation, no account required.
Yes. Use custom page ranges (e.g., 2-10, 15-20) or skip the first page (common for cover sheets). The 'increase margins' option ensures Bates numbers don't overlap existing content.
Yes. The live preview shows exactly how Bates numbers, exhibit stamps, and confidentiality notices will appear on your actual PDF pages. Projected Bates ranges show the number assignment for each file.
Yes. Bates Numbering PDF on WhiskFile is completely free with no account required. Free users get 7 tasks per day with files up to 50 MB. There are no watermarks on any plan. Pro plans ($4.99/month) unlock unlimited tasks, 500 MB files, batch processing, and API access.
Yes. Bates Numbering PDF works on any device with a modern browser — iPhone, Android, iPad, tablets, Chromebooks, and desktop computers. No app download required. The interface adapts to your screen size automatically.
Bates Numbering PDF accepts PDF files as input and produces PDF output. The maximum file size is 50 MB on the free plan (500 MB for Pro users). There are no page count limits.
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