Why does page 3 show up in two of my split files?
Because the two ranges you typed overlap. In “One PDF per range” each group is handled on its own, so 1-3, 3-5 puts page 3 in the first file and in the second. If that was a typo, change the second range to 4-5.
How the overlap happens
The most common slip is ending one range and starting the next with the same number, as if saying from 1 to 3, then from 3 to 5, when you meant the second part to start after page 3. The tool does not assume you made a mistake, because overlap is sometimes intended, so it does exactly what you typed.
a.pdf, 8 pages, in “One PDF per range”.
Typing 1-3, 3-5: two files, a-pages-1-3.pdf and a-pages-3-5.pdf, both containing page 3.
Typing 1-3, 4-5: two files with no repeat.
In “Extract to one PDF”, 1-3, 3-5 gives one file, a-pages-1-5.pdf, because duplicates are dropped in that mode.
A sign that gives the overlap away before you download
The preview line under the field shows the number of files and their total pages. In the example above it says 6, although the two ranges only cover five distinct pages. Whenever the total is higher than the number of pages you meant, a page is being counted twice. Take a second to read that number before you press the button.
When the repeat is useful
- A summary table page that belongs to two sections, so you want it in each section's file.
- A general instructions page every staff group needs alongside its own section.
- A contract whose appendix starts halfway down a page, so you want that page in both the contract file and the appendix file to keep the sentence whole.
Fixing the ranges, step by step
- Open Split PDF and choose the file again; the original has not changed.
- Choose “One PDF per range”.
- Start each range on the page after the previous range ends: 1-3, 4-5, 6-8.
- Check that the total pages in the preview line matches what you expect, here 8.
- Press “Split and download”.
Common questions
Can the tool block repeats automatically?
There is no option for that, because repeats are sometimes intended. The preview line is your check.
Does a repeat make the files bigger?
A little, since each file carries its own copy of the repeated page.