Bates Numbering for Legal Discovery
In discovery, every page of every production needs a unique Bates number so parties can cite documents unambiguously. Getting this right matters: gaps, duplicates, or inconsistent formatting create disputes and re-productions. PdfXpo applies clean, sequential Bates numbering with a custom prefix and padding across an entire production set, free, so your numbering is consistent from the first page to the last.
Discovery sets are confidential and often privileged, which is why uploading them to a cloud tool to number them is a risk you should not take. PdfXpo stamps the documents locally in your browser — nothing is uploaded — so the production never leaves your firm's control. Free, unlimited, and watermark-free, it lets associates and paralegals prepare court-ready productions without subscriptions or IT approval.
100% Local Privacy
Your files never leave your computer
Local Browser Power
Instant Processing in Browser
Secure Client-Side Processing
Data is handled entirely within your browser for maximum security
How to Bates Numbering for Legal Discovery — Step by Step
1. Open the free Bates Numbering tool at PdfXpo.com — no account, no install. Drag in the PDF you are producing; it loads in your browser, so the file (and its privileged contents) is never uploaded to a server.
2. Set your Bates prefix (e.g. ABC), the starting number, digit padding, and where the stamp sits on the page. Apply it across the entire document — hundreds or thousands of pages — in one pass, with consistent, sequential numbering.
3. Download the Bates-stamped PDF instantly. Every page carries a unique, sequential identifier ready for production, deposition, or filing — with no watermark and no per-page charge.
Why PdfXpo for Bates Numbering
Litigation teams choose PdfXpo for discovery because the numbering is clean and sequential, the process is air-gapped (no upload of confidential productions), and the output is watermark-free and court-ready. No subscription, no per-page fee, no daily cap.
Common Questions
Can I number a whole production set at once?
Yes. Apply a consistent prefix and sequential numbers across the entire set in one pass — no gaps or duplicates.
Is my confidential production uploaded?
No. Numbering runs in your browser; the documents never leave your device, preserving confidentiality and privilege.
Can I match an existing Bates format?
Yes. Set the prefix, starting number, and digit padding to continue or match an existing numbering scheme.
Does it add a watermark?
No. The output is clean and production-ready, with no watermark and no signup.