How to Combine PDF Files on Mac

Mac users are lucky. Unlike Windows, macOS comes with powerful PDF tools built right into the operating system. You don’t need to buy expensive software just to combine two documents.

Method 1: The Finder (Quick Actions)

The fastest way to merge files is directly from your desktop or folder.

Select Files: Hold Command and click the PDF files you want to combine.
Right Click: Control-click on the selected files.
Quick Actions: Go to Quick Actions > Create PDF.
Done: A new file named “New PDF.pdf” will appear instantly.

Method 2: Preview App

For more control (like rearranging pages), use Preview.

Open First File: Double-click your first PDF to open it in Preview.
Show Sidebar: Go to View > Thumbnails.
Drag and Drop: Drag your second PDF file from the Finder into the sidebar of the Preview window.
Arrange: You can drag individual pages up and down to reorder them.
Save: Go to File > Export as PDF.

Method 3: Automator (For Power Users)

If you do this daily, you can create a “Folder Action” in Automator that automatically merges any files you drop into a specific folder.

Conclusion

Apple provides excellent native tools for basic PDF tasks. However, for advanced features like merging 100+ files or adding a Table of Contents, you might need a dedicated tool.

Need more power than Preview? Discover how MergeCanvas offers advanced merging capabilities for professional workflows. Start your free trial today.