PDF files are the perfect solution to keep the original formatting of a document, but it is not easy to edit them. Even a simple operation, such as removing a page, can become a frustrating task, as the free Adobe Reader program does not provide any editing tools. Fortunately, there are many tricks to get around these difficulties and to be able to quickly delete pages from a PDF file.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: CutePDF (Windows)
Step 1. Download the CutePDF program
It is a free software that adds a virtual printer to your computer that allows you to convert any document into PDF format. You can use it to create a new PDF file by deleting the pages you don't care about.
- Go to the site cutepdf.com/products/cutepdf/writer.asp and click on the "Free Download" and "Free Converter" buttons. This is an English site, but you shouldn't have any trouble following the instructions.
- If you need to limit yourself to only removing a page or two from a single PDF document, then it's worth considering some alternatives online, as the process is quicker.
Step 2. Launch the program
CuteWriter.exe to launch the CuteWriter installation. During the installation wizard, click the Cancel button on the first offer that appears and then select the link "Skip this and all remaining offers".
Step 3. Start
converter.exe to install the software required by CuteWriter. Click on the Setup button to start the automatic installation.
Step 4. Open the PDF file you want to remove pages from
You can do it from any PDF reader, or with your internet browser.
Step 5. Click on "File" → "Print"
This way you are not physically printing the document, but you are creating a new PDF file.
Step 6. Select "CutePDF Writer" as the printer to use
Step 7. Select the "Pages" or the "Page Range" (respectively the "Pages" or "Range" selection) you want to keep
For example, if you had a seven-page document and you wanted to get rid of the sixth, you would type in the Range section: "1-5, 7".
Step 8. Click on the button
Print and finally save the file when the dialog screen appears. Your new file is saved in the Documents folder by default.
Method 2 of 4: Preview (Mac)
Step 1. Double click on the PDF file you are interested in and open it in Preview
If it opens with another program, such as Adobe Reader, right click on the file icon, select "Open with" and then select "Preview".
Step 2. Select the "View" option from the menu and choose "Preview"
This way you can see all the pages of the PDF file in preview mode.
Step 3. Choose all the pages you want to delete
You can hold down the Command key and select multiple pages, or drag the mouse pointer and create a selection box.
Step 4. Click on the "Edit" menu button and finally choose "Delete"
This way you have deleted all the selected pages.
Method 3 of 4: Smallpdf (Online)
Step 1. Using your internet browser go to the page
smallpdf.com/it/compress-pdf.
Step 2. Drag and drop the PDF you want to delete some pages from into the browser window
You can also click on the "Choose File" button.
Step 3. Select all the pages you want to keep
You can do this by pressing the Shift key and selecting each individual page at a time, or type the range of pages you are interested in in the appropriate field at the bottom of the screen.
Step 4. Click on "Compress PDF" after selecting all pages
A new screen should open at this point.
Step 5. Select "Download File Now"
This will transfer the edited file to your computer. You can choose whether to save it directly to Dropbox or to your Google Drive account.
Method 4 of 4: Adobe Acrobat
Step 1. Open the PDF file with Adobe Acrobat
You cannot delete pages with the free Adobe Reader.
Step 2. Click on the "Page Preview" button located on the left panel
If you don't see it, click on "View" → "Show / Hide" → "Navigation Panel" → "Page Preview".
Step 3. Select the pages you want to delete
You can click and drag the mouse pointer to select multiple pages at once, or press Ctrl and click on each page you want to delete.
Step 4. Click on the "Delete" button to delete the pages you have selected
This button is located at the top of the "Page Preview" panel.