Unable to combine PDFs using right click

[Thomas22846669ccf0]

Hi, 

I have Acrobat Reader DC and Acrobat 2020 downloaded, however I believe I had Acrobat Pro DC before where I was able to select multiple pdfs, right click and then hit the combine files button (quick and simple). Since I got this newer version I don't seem to be able to do this. Any solutions? 

[gary_sc]

Hi Thomas,

Just because you have an application on your computer does not mean that it can and/or will affect right-click option. And, this option is not available with Acrobat Reader. 

If you have Acrobat Standard or Acrobat Pro, start them up and combine away. But you cannot do that with Reader. Sorry

[Thomas22846669ccf0]

I have the pro version but was hoping I didn't have to open it up first to be able to combine files.

[gary_sc]

Hi Thomas,

I have to ask a question here, when you right-click to combine files, are you doing that in Explorer or in Acrobat?

I ask because on the Mac, when I'm in the Finder, that option is not there.

Meanwhile, one more question: if you have Acrobat Pro, why are you looking at files in Reader? (Maybe to see what Reader users are seeing? Just curious.)

[JonCoen]

Gary -

I am having the same isses as this person is describing. I just recently upgraded from Adobe 2017 to Adobe 2020 and the "Combine in Adobe PDF" option I used to have when selecting multiple PDF files in Explorer and right clicking on them...is now gone.

When I right click on PDF files I see the option to open them in Adobe, but not combine them.

This option 100% was in 2017, and it save a step from having to open Adobe and go into the tools, select Combine and then drage the files into Adobe. I really need the ability to right click on files in Explorer, and have that "Combine" option.

I have looked around these forums and found a solution some listed as running this commnd from my Comand Prompt:

regsvr32 "C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Acrobat 2020\Acrobat Elements\ContextMenu64.dll"

or

regsvr32 "C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Acrobat 2020\Acrobat Elements\ContextMenu.dll"

However, while I did the message saying it succeeded, it did not resolve my issue.

Any assistance you would be able to offer would be greatly appreciated.

[Stephen J. Graham]

I had a similar problem to this a while ago and I was able to fix it by turning off the Enhanced Security setting (Edit, Preferences, Security (Enhanced) and unchecking the button). However, my issue was slightly different - I was able to select "combine" but then Adobe opened without combining them. Also, I'm not an Adobe expert, so can't say if my solution will fix it for you.

Hope you get sorted.

Kind Regards,

Stephen G.

[Michelle34691929oo71 · Accepted solution]

I realize this is an old post and you may have figured it out by now, but I was having the same issue and it turns out I was trying to combine files that were in the Dropbox cloud. When I downloaded them to my computer I was able to combine them by right clicking.

[Veronica36307592qgzz]

I have the same issue. Every week, I have to process many reports from other sources to combine them into one PDF, but that option is now gone. When I select my files to combine, I have to click "show more options"  and select "combine file to Acrobat." This is so frustrating because I have many reports to do every Monday.

[ITHHC9820]

Have similer issue, using Adobe Acrobat with License, when i right click i see the option "combine files in acrobat..." but nothing happens when i click on it.

Any advice?

[neiderhl]

Same here.  Over the weekend Adobe finally started saving preferences, including "turning off" new adobe, but still, I am unable to combine by right clicking.  I tried the security tip above, but still will not combine & only "Open" adobe showing old/recent files vs the combining option I selected. 

[michele_2844]

I figured out a work around, when you select the files you want to combine, right click, select open in Adobe instead, once they are all open you can click combine and it will give you the option to add all of the file you currently have open.  That's been my fix.  Still frustrating the righ-click combine isn't work as it should.

[RRT1000]

I think the latest update fixed this! 🙂  Happy Day!!