How Bates Numbering works
Bates numbering stamps sequential, uniquely identifying labels on every page of a PDF, a fixed prefix, a zero-padded running number and an optional suffix (for example ABC-000123). It is the standard for legal discovery, accounting and any workflow that must reference exact pages reliably.
It differs from plain page numbers: Bates labels are designed to stay unique across an entire production, with consistent padding and a custom prefix. For simple page numbers use Add page numbers, and for free-form margin text with tokens use Header & Footer. The prefix, digit padding, starting value and optional suffix are all configurable, so the labels match your firm or case numbering scheme exactly.