How to Merge PDF Layers

Some documents created with Adobe Indesign or Adobe Illustrator may make use of layers, which are essentially a way of grouping objects like pictures and text so that they can be placed in front of or behind each other in a two-dimensional environment. It is not uncommon to convert these documents to PDFs (portable document files), and it may be desirable to merge the layers, once the document's final editing is completed.

Instructions

1. Open the PDF. Select "View" then "Navigation Panels" then "Layers" from the top panel. This action will open the Layers Panel on the left side of the screen.

2. Select the layers to be merged in the left panel. Hold down "CTRL" and left-click to select more than one layer. Click "Add."

3. In the right pane, select the first layer into which the selected layers will merge.

4. Click "OK" and save the document.

Tips & Warnings

• Merging layers cannot be undone. Be sure to save a copy of the document with separate layers if there is the possibility it may need further work.

References

• Merging Layers in Adobe Acrobat Pro 8
• Merging Layers in Adobe Acrobat Pro 9