Unable to use select pages feature to delete even pages

[cohen_0468]

I am trying to select all even pages at once and delete them together, which I have done before using the "Organize Pages" tab and then the "Pages Selected" drop down menu on the left side subtab. Suddenly, I am able to use the feature to select the pages, but when I press the delete button, it deselects the even pages and selects only the first page. The pop up window asks me if I would like to delete that one page, even though I had all even pages selected. I have had Adobe uninstalled and reinstalled on my laptop, but the issue persists. Is there any way to troubleshoot this?

[Tariq Ahmad Dar]

Hi @cohen_0468

Thanks for reaching out! If you’re unable to use the “Select Pages” feature to delete even pages, here are a few possible causes and steps to try:

1. File Security Settings

The PDF may have editing restrictions applied. To check this:

• Open the file in Acrobat.

• Go to File > Properties > Security tab.

• Look under Document Restrictions Summary for “Page Extraction” or “Content Modification.” If it’s set to Not Allowed, you’ll need to remove restrictions or request an unrestricted version from the document author.

2. PDF is Digitally Signed or Certified

If the document is digitally signed or certified, page deletions and edits are restricted by design to maintain integrity. To perform these actions, you’ll need a version without a signature or certification.

3. PDF is Part of a Portfolio or Binder

Sometimes, PDFs embedded within portfolios or binders behave differently. In such cases, try extracting the file:

• Right-click > Extract from Portfolio or Save As PDF, then reopen the file and try again.

 4. Run a Quick Repair

If none of the above apply, run a repair installation:

• Go to Help > Repair Installation in Acrobat.

Some of the following questions will give us more clarity about this issue:

1. Is the option grayed out or does nothing happen after selecting it?

   This helps determine if it’s a UI/access issue or a silent failure.

2. Does this happen with all PDFs or only with specific ones?

   Could isolate whether the problem is file-specific (e.g., corrupted or restricted PDFs).

3. Is the file protected, digitally signed, or secured in any way?

   Some security settings prevent page modification. Ask if they can check File > Properties > Security.

4. Where is the file saved—on a local drive, cloud storage, or a network/mapped drive?

   Access restrictions from certain locations can interfere with editing features.

5. Are you using Acrobat Standard or Acrobat Pro, and is it updated to the latest version?

   This can help rule out version or feature availability issues.

6. Have you tried using the ‘Organize Pages’ tool manually to delete the pages? Does that work?

   Checking whether the manual deletion works can help determine whether only the “Select Pages” shortcut is failing.

7. Do you receive any error messages when attempting to delete the pages?

   Error prompts can be crucial in identifying the root cause.

~Tariq

[try67]

Instead of having to manually select all the pages, then click Delete, you can do it using this code:

// Delete all even pages
for (var p = this.numPages-1; p>=0; p--) {
	if (p%2==1) this.deletePages(p, p);
}

You can place this code under a Custom Command (or Guided Action, or whatever they're calling it now) and execute it with a single click on your file.