How do I split a PDF in PDFsam Basic?
It takes five steps: open Split, add the PDF, choose where to cut, set the output folder and run and check.
- Open Split. Click Split on the Home screen; it is the second card under Split tools.
- Add the PDF. Drag the file into the tool or click Add. Split works on one PDF at a time.
- Choose where to cut. Pick Split after the following page numbers, Split by every n pages, or a predefined set such as every page.
- Set the output folder. Choose a destination folder. Output files get the PDFsam_ prefix unless you change it under File names settings.
- Run and check. Click Run, then open the folder and check the first and last page of each piece.
Which split option should you choose?
The Split tool cuts in three ways. Split after the following page numbers is the precise one: every number you type ends a piece, so 2,5 gives pages 1-2, 3-5 and 6 to the end. Split by every n pages makes equal chunks, which suits a batch of scanned forms of the same length. The predefined sets split after every page, after odd pages or after even pages; every page turns a 20-page PDF into 20 single-page files.
| Tool and option | What you enter | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Split: after page numbers | Page numbers such as 3,7 | One file per section between the numbers |
| Split: every n pages | A page count, for example 10 | Equal chunks of that many pages |
| Split: predefined set | Every page, odd pages or even pages | Single pages, or cuts after each odd or even page |
| Split by bookmarks | A bookmark level and an optional regular expression | One file per matching bookmark |
| Split by size | A size in KB or MB | Files of roughly that size |
How does split by size work?
Split by size is a separate tool on the Home screen. Enter a number and pick KB or MB, and PDFsam Basic writes files that each stay near that size. The tool's own description says roughly: a single page can be bigger than the limit, and shared fonts and images are copied into every piece, so aim a little under an email provider's cap. It never shrinks pages, so a single huge scanned page stays huge.
What about chapters and bookmarks?
When the PDF has an outline, Split by bookmarks cuts at each bookmark of the level you pick, for example every chapter of a manual, and can name each file after its bookmark. If you only need a few pages rather than a full split, Extract copies them into one new file instead.
Frequently asked questions
Can I split a PDF without internet?
Yes. PDFsam Basic runs every split on your own computer and needs no connection or account. Only its optional startup checks use the network.
How do I split a PDF into single pages?
Open Split, choose the predefined set of pages and pick Every page. Each page becomes its own PDF in the output folder.
Why do my split files have PDFsam_ in their names?
PDFsam Basic adds the PDFsam_ prefix to output names by default so nothing overwrites the original. Change it under File names settings, or in Settings for every tool.