PDF has become one of the most popular document formats, thanks to its efficiency and compatibility.
However, sometimes you may need to make a few tweaks to the file to get it exactly as you want it, and it is not easy to edit it directly.
For instance, if you want just a few pages, or only need a section of the whole, you will require a PDF trick that helps you extract your desired pages.
In this article, we explain how to split up a PDF for free so you can remove any unwanted pages or create multiple documents from one file, depending on what you need.
Steps to Split PDF for Free on Windows
We’ll walk you through each step to help you along the way.
1. Use a Free Online Tool
There are a number of different PDF tools available on the internet, but a lot of them either make you pay a subscription fee or create a user (just in case you needed more passwords to keep track of!)
To avoid this, FormatPDF.com is completely free and has a wide selection of PDF tools. You can find the Split PDF tool here, or go to Formatpdf.com/en/ and select it from the homepage.
2. Upload Your Document
Next, upload the file you want to split by clicking the “Select PDF file” button, or drag the file into the space marked “Or drag and drop PDF files here.”
Your document will automatically start uploading into the PDF splitter in a few seconds, depending on the file size.
3. Choose How to Split Your PDF
Once the file is completely uploaded to the free PDF splitter, you will see a menu that lets you specify the exact way you want to separate the document.
Choose what you’d like to do. For example, you can:
- Split by custom ranges
- Split by fixed ranges (for example, every 3 pages)
- Extract all pages, creating a separate document for each page
- Extract certain pages
- Delete certain pages while keeping others by extracting only the pages you want to keep
4. Download Your New File
Click on the “Split” button to finish. The split file will be automatically downloaded to your computer, tablet, or phone. If not, click the “Download file” button on the screen.
Advantages of Splitting PDF Online for Free
Wondering if this process is worth doing in the first place? Here are some reasons why you may want to do it.
Works From Any Device
Unlike tools in the form of programs or apps you have to download, online tools like FormatPDF can be used from any device: computer, smartphone, or tablet.
This way, you can split your PDFs for free on Windows, Mac, or any other operating system. Android phones and iPhones can both use the tool in the same way.
Keep in mind that you do need an internet connection so you can go to the website and use the tool.
Easy to Use
You don’t need any tech knowledge to use this tool to split PDF files. It is easy, intuitive, and efficient, and the steps are uncomplicated. The text on the page guides you through the quick steps to divide your documents and automatically save the new version(s) of your file to your device.
No Additional Apps or Programs Needed
Splitting PDF documents is as simple as going to the FormatPDF website. Unlike other PDF tools you have to download, there is no need to install any programs or apps, as everything is done online. This means you don’t have to use up memory space on your device or expose your device to the risk of virus attacks associated with app installation.
Security and Privacy Guarantee
FormatPDF offers security and privacy as you are the only one who can see the documents you upload to the tool, and even after splitting, your PDFs will be saved to your device. And because it is entirely online, the risk of virus and hack attacks from downloading unknown programs or apps is highly reduced. There is also a restrictive privacy policy designed to boost user security.
No Watermark or Advertising
An added benefit of splitting PDF for free using the FormatPDF tool is that your documents will not have watermarks (here’s an example of what a watermark looks like). This is an important feature that many others do not offer unless you enter your credit card information. Similarly, there are none of the pop-up ads that are so common with apps you have to download.
Frequently Asked Questions about Splitting PDFs Online for Free
Why Is Splitting a PDF Necessary?
There are several reasons why you may want to split a PDF online:
- You want to reorder the pages
- You want to delete certain pages while keeping others
- You want each page to be its own individual document
- You want to divide the document into multiple documents using page ranges
Can I Separate a PDF Into Multiple Files?
Yes, absolutely! The tool is designed to split your document into as many parts as you like. You will get different splitting options during the conversion process; just select how you want it to be divided and the parts and separation points you want.
Can a PDF’s Format Be Changed After Splitting?
Yes. If you want to change your document from PDF to any other format like Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc., after splitting, you can. FormatPDF also has free conversion tools on the website so you can convert any document to your desired format.
Will There Be a Loss in Document Quality?
No. The way PDF is built, it withstands almost all conversion and editing processes while maintaining good quality. So, there will be no quality loss during splitting, and the resulting documents will maintain the original quality.
Is Any Additional Program Needed to Split PDF When Using This Tool?
No, there is no need for another app to split PDF documents. The process is done entirely online, making it easier to split PDF files because no extra resources are required.
Conclusion
As great and handy as the PDF file format is, it is static, and editing a PDF file manually is rigorous and almost impossible without using special tools. The tool provides excellent solutions online for handling PDFs, including splitting PDFs, converting to other file formats, and performing different actions on PDF documents. And it is completely free and user-friendly.
