How to combine and separate pdf files on Ubuntu

Follow these steps to combine or separate pdf files on Ubuntu.

• Go to Applications > Accessories > Terminal to open the terminal window.

  
  

• Install pdftk by typing the following commands at the terminal.

  sudo aptitude install pdftk
  
  
  
  
  

• Enter the following commands at the terminal.
  cd
  mkdir bin
  cd bin
  
  
  
  

• Edit the pdftk_burst by entering the following command at the terminal.
  gedit pdftk_burst
  

• Add the following lines as shown.
  #! /bin/bash
  cd ${1%/*}
  /usr/bin/pdftk "$1" burst
  rm doc_data.txt
  
  

  
  

  Save and close the file. Edit pdftk_cat by entering the following command at the terminal.

• gedit pdftk_cat

  
  

• Add the following lines to pdftk_cat

  #!/bin/bash

  cd ${1%/*}

  outfile="00out.pdf"

  if [ -f $outfile ] ; then

      rm -f $outfile

  fi

  /usr/bin/pdftk *.pdf cat output $outfile

        Save and close pdftk_cat

• Change the permissions on the file.
  

  chmod u+x pdftk_burst pdftk_cat

  
  

• Adding custom command options.

  Select any pdf file and right click on it and go to properties. Go to Open With tab, and click on Add.

  
  
  

  
  

• Click on Use a custom command as shown.
  
  
  

• Click on browse and select the pdftk_burst file.
  
  

•  Click on Add

        

        Repeat the same steps for pdftk_cat also.

      
      
       After pdftk_burst and pdftk_cat are added, click on Close.


      

• Now when you right click on any pdf file, you will see two new options.

  Open With > pdftk_burst which will convert a 30 page pdf file into 30 different files each containing one page.

  
  
  
  
  

• Now when you right click on any pdf file, you will see two new options.

  Open With > pdftk_cat will combine 30 different files in that folder and joins them and creates one single file called 00out.pdf file.

  
  
  
  

Problem not solved? Ask a Zolved Guru... Friend needs help? Try Zolved Remote Control... rate the article del.icio.us   stumble print

 

Related articles

How to add new desktop in Ubuntu

How to login automatically in Ubuntu

How to play popular multimedia formats in Ubuntu?

Top tips and tricks for Ubuntu users

Using Add/Remove programs in Ubuntu

How to add an additional Super User DO(SUDO) in Ubuntu

Ubuntu Tips and Tricks

How to Install Wine in Ubuntu

How to change the root password on Ubuntu

Fix your right Alt key in Ubuntu

How to fix Display problems in Ubuntu

How to customize the Taskbar/Panel on Ubuntu

How to add keyboard shortcuts for actions in Ubuntu

How to install some popular games(emulators) on Ubuntu

How to run Windows applications on Ubuntu

more...