FilePDQHow-to guides
Plain answers to everyday file problems. Open a question for the short answer, or read the full guide for every step and the fixes when something goes wrong.
PDF documents
Combine, sign, fill in and tidy up PDFs.
How to combine PDF files into one3 min read
Add your PDFs to a merge tool, put them in the order you want, and download one combined file. With FilePDQ the files are joined on your own device, so nothing is uploaded.
- Open Merge PDFs and add the files, either by choosing them or dropping them on the box.
- Use the up and down arrows to put the files in the order they should appear.
- Select Merge PDFs, then Download. The new PDF has every page from every file, in that order.
How to sign a PDF without printing it4 min read
Open the PDF in a signing tool, draw or type your signature, place it on the page and download the signed copy. No printer or scanner needed, and it takes about a minute.
- Open Sign PDF and add your document.
- Make your signature: draw it with a mouse or finger, type your name in a handwriting style, or upload a photo of your real signature.
- Tick “Add my printed name and today’s date” if the document asks for them.
How to fill in a PDF form on your computer4 min read
If the PDF has fillable boxes, open it in a form filler, type your answers and save. If it has no boxes, type on top of the page instead with an add-text tool.
- Open Fill PDF forms and add the form.
- Fill in the boxes shown, page by page. Required fields are marked.
- Tick “Lock the answers” if nobody should be able to change them later.
How to turn photos of documents into a PDF4 min read
Photograph each page flat and in good light, add the photos to an images-to-PDF tool in page order, and download one PDF with a page per photo.
- Photograph each page from straight above, on a dark surface, in daylight or bright light without shadows.
- Open Images to PDF and add the photos. iPhone HEIC photos work too.
- Put them in page order with the arrows, choose the page size (A4 suits most letters), then select Create PDF.
How to remove or reorder pages in a PDF3 min read
Use Delete pages to drop pages you don’t need, Reorder pages to move them, or Extract pages to save a few as a new PDF. Each takes page numbers like 1-3, 7.
- Open the tool you need: Delete pages, Reorder pages or Extract pages.
- Add the PDF. The page count is shown so you know what you’re working with.
- Type the pages (Pages to delete, Pages to keep, or the new Page order): ranges like 2-4 and lists like 1, 3, 9 both work.
How to password-protect a PDF3 min read
Open Protect PDF, add the file, type a password twice and download the locked copy. To remove a password you know, use Unlock PDF. The file never leaves your device.
- Open Protect PDF and add the PDF you want to lock.
- Type a password of at least 6 characters, then type it again. Tick Show passwords to check for typos.
- If you also want to stop printing, copying or editing, tick those boxes and set a separate owner password.
How to make a scanned PDF searchable3 min read
Open Searchable PDF (OCR), add the scan and select Make searchable. The text is read on your device and added invisibly over each page, so the pages look the same but you can now search and copy them.
- Open Searchable PDF (OCR) and add the scanned PDF.
- Select Make searchable. Each page takes a few seconds; the first run also loads the text reader.
- Download the searchable copy and try searching it for a word you can see on the page.
How to make a PDF smaller for email3 min read
Open Compress PDF, add the file, choose Strongest for email and download the smaller copy. Most of a PDF’s size is usually photos or scans, and those are what get shrunk. Text stays sharp.
- Open Compress PDF and add the file.
- Choose Strongest for email, Balanced for most uses, or Light if it will be printed.
- Select Compress PDF. The size before and after is shown.
Photos
Formats, file sizes and the hidden data in your pictures.
How to convert iPhone HEIC photos to JPG3 min read
Drop the HEIC photos on a HEIC to JPG converter and download JPGs that open on any computer or website. To stop it happening again, change one setting on the iPhone.
- Open HEIC to JPG and add your photos. You can add up to 50 at once.
- Select Convert to JPG. Each photo is turned into a JPG on your own device.
- Download them one by one, or all together as a ZIP.
How to reduce a photo’s file size4 min read
Most photos are far bigger than they need to be. Resize to the size you actually need, then compress, and a 5 MB phone photo usually drops below 1 MB with no visible change.
- Decide where the photo is going (see the tips below for sizes that work).
- Open Compress image and add the photos. You can add up to 50 at once.
- Set “Also shrink large images” to the size you need, such as Longest side 2048 px, and keep the quality at 75.
How to remove location data from photos3 min read
Phone photos usually store where they were taken, accurate to a few metres. Strip it with a metadata remover before posting or sending, especially photos taken at home.
- Open Remove photo metadata and add the photos.
- Select Remove metadata and download the clean copies.
- Share the clean copies, not the originals.
JPG, PNG, WEBP or HEIC: which format to use5 min read
Use JPG for photos you want to open anywhere, PNG for screenshots and anything with transparency, and WEBP for websites. HEIC is the iPhone’s space-saver; convert it when sharing.
- Pick the format from the table below.
- Open Convert image, add your files and choose the target format.
- Download the converted files.
Video and audio
Smaller videos, shorter clips and ringtones.
How to make a video file smaller to send4 min read
Trim off what you don’t need first, then compress. Lowering the resolution to 720p usually cuts the size dramatically and still looks fine on a phone.
- If the clip has dull bits at the start or end, cut them with Trim video first.
- Open Compress video and add the file (up to 5 GB).
- Set Resolution to Up to 720p, and select Compress video. Keep the tab open while it works.
How to cut a song or make a ringtone3 min read
Open the audio in a trimmer, set the start and end times, and download just that part. Keep ringtones short: iPhone ringtones can be up to 40 seconds.
- Open Trim audio and add the song.
- Enter the Start and End times, such as 0:45 and 1:15.
- Select Trim and download the clip.
Money and paperwork
Statements, receipts and invoices, sorted.
How to put a bank statement into a spreadsheet5 min read
Download a CSV from your online banking if you can; it is the most reliable. Clean it up so dates and amounts work in a spreadsheet. If you only have a PDF, convert it and check the flagged lines.
- In online banking, look for Export, Download or Statements and choose CSV if it is offered.
- With a CSV: open Clean up a bank CSV, add it, select Clean up CSV and download the cleaned file.
- With only a PDF: open Bank statement to CSV, add it, select Make CSV and download the transactions.
How to organise receipts and invoices for tax6 min read
Gather everything as PDFs or photos, sort it into folders by type with dated file names, and pull invoice totals into one spreadsheet. Keep the originals safe.
- Save emailed invoices as PDFs and photograph paper receipts.
- Open Organise client documents, add everything and select Sort into folders. You get a ZIP with a folder per kind of document and an index.
- Open Extract invoice fields, add the invoices, select Read invoices and download one spreadsheet of numbers, dates, VAT and totals.
Privacy and safety
How to use file tools without giving your data away.
Are online file converters safe to use?5 min read
Many converters upload your file to their servers, so it depends who runs them and what they keep. For sensitive files, use a tool that works in your browser, and watch for fake download buttons.
- Before adding a file, read where it is processed: on your device, or uploaded to a server.
- Check the privacy notice says how long uploaded files are kept and who runs the site.
- Look for https and the padlock in the address bar.
Everyday
Small jobs that save time.
How to make a QR code for your Wi-Fi3 min read
Enter your network name and password in a QR generator, choose Wi-Fi, and print the code. Guests scan it with their camera app and join.
- Open the QR code generator and choose Wi-Fi as the type.
- Type the network name exactly as it appears, and the password.
- Download the code as PNG to print, or SVG for sharp printing at any size.