Guides and how-tos
DocuGrip blog
Step-by-step PDF guides: compress, merge, sign, convert and protect documents, with the trade-offs explained plainly and nothing uploaded along the way.
- 35 guides
- 5 topics
- Updated Sep 28, 2026
Convert10
Convert tools- Convert a PDF to PDF/AWhat is PDF/A? Versions, levels and PDF/A vs PDF/X vs PDF/UAPDF/A is the archival PDF courts and archives ask for. Which version and level you need, what blocks it, and how it differs from PDF/X and PDF/UA.6 min read
- Create a Factur-X invoiceE-invoicing in France and Germany: dates, formats and where Factur-X fitsWhen French and German businesses must receive and send e-invoices, which formats count, why a plain PDF no longer does, and where Factur-X fits.7 min read
- E-invoice to PDFHow to open an XRechnung or ZUGFeRD e-invoiceAn XRechnung is an XML file, so opening it shows code instead of an invoice. Here is how to read it as a normal invoice, and what to keep for your records.4 min read
- ID card front and backHow to copy both sides of an ID card onto one pageA clean, real-size copy of the front and back of a driver’s license or ID card from two phone photos — ready to print — and how to protect it before sending.4 min read
- JPG to PDFHow to convert JPG images to a PDFTurn one photo or a whole set of scans into a single PDF in the order you want. Page size choices, quality tips, and what to do with iPhone photos.5 min read
- PDF to JPGHow to convert a PDF to JPG imagesTurn PDF pages into JPG images for slides, posts or chat. Pick the right resolution, choose only the pages you need, and know when PNG is the better choice.5 min read
- Word to PDFHow to convert a Word document to PDFTurn a .docx into a PDF whose text stays selectable and searchable. Step-by-step instructions, what to expect from the layout, and when to export from Word.5 min read
- PDF to ExcelHow to convert a PDF table to ExcelPull a table out of a PDF into an editable spreadsheet: what converts cleanly, how to handle scans, and how to check the columns before trusting the numbers.6 min read
- Excel to PDFHow to convert an Excel spreadsheet to PDFTurn an .xlsx, .xls or .csv file into a PDF anyone can open. How sheets are laid out, why pages are landscape, and what happens to charts and styling.4 min read
- PDF to WordHow to convert a PDF to an editable Word documentTurn a PDF into a .docx you can edit in Word, Pages or Google Docs. When it works best, what to do with scans, and when editing the PDF directly is faster.6 min read
Optimize9
Optimize tools- Check PDF accessibilityWhat is PDF/UA? Accessible PDFs explained, and how to check onePDF/UA is the standard for PDFs that screen readers can follow. What it requires, what an automatic check can and cannot judge, and how to fix the common gaps.5 min read
- Clean up a scanHow to remove shadows from a scanned documentPhone scans come out gray, yellow and shadowed. Here is how to turn them into clean white pages, straighten a photo taken at an angle, and pick the right look.4 min read
- Compress PDFHow to compress a PDF to under 100 KBGet a scanned form or ID page under a 100 KB upload limit: the exact target to type, what to cut first, and what to do when a file will not go that small.5 min read
- Compress PDFHow to compress a PDF to under 200 KBBring certificates, transcripts and application documents under a 200 KB limit: the target to type, how to keep stamps and signatures legible, and what to cut.5 min read
- Compress PDFHow to compress a PDF to under 1 MBFit reports, claims and applications with photos under a 1 MB upload limit: the target to type, how to treat photo-heavy pages, and when to split the file.5 min read
- Compress PDFHow to compress a PDF for UPSC, SSC, RRB and bank exam forms (under 200 KB)Get certificates and marksheets under the 200 KB or 100 KB limits of Indian recruitment portals: the exact target and how to scan.5 min read
- Compress PDFHow to prepare PDFs for federal court e-filing (CM/ECF size limits, Bates, redaction)Get exhibits through CM/ECF: size limits by court, compressing or splitting an oversized PDF, Bates numbers and redactions that hold.6 min read
- OCR PDFHow to make a scanned PDF searchable with OCRAdd a searchable text layer to scanned PDFs so you can find, select and copy their words. How to tell if a PDF is scanned and get better accuracy.5 min read
- Compress PDFHow to compress a PDF without losing qualityShrink a PDF to the size you need while keeping text sharp and searchable. Clear steps, sensible targets, and what to do when compression is not enough.6 min read
Edit6
Edit tools- Page backgroundHow to change the background color of a PDFAdd a soft cream, blue or any other background color to PDF pages without covering the text — for easier reading, printed handouts or slides.3 min read
- Rotate PDFHow to rotate pages in a PDF and save them that wayTurn sideways or upside-down PDF pages the right way up and keep them that way for everyone who opens the file. Rotate one page, a few, or all of them.4 min read
- Add Page NumbersHow to add page numbers to a PDFNumber PDF pages in the corner you choose, skip the cover, start from any number, or add “Page 3 of 40” footers and legal Bates numbers across a set of files.5 min read
- Watermark PDFHow to add a watermark to a PDFMark a PDF as a draft, confidential or a sample with a text watermark. Angle and opacity choices, when a stamp fits better, and what a watermark cannot do.4 min read
- Edit PDF textHow to edit a PDF: text, images and pagesChange text in a PDF, add new text or images, cover old content and rearrange pages, and learn which edits work in place and when to convert to Word.6 min read
- Fill PDF formHow to fill in a PDF formType into a fillable PDF form, lock the answers before sending, and turn a flat or scanned form into a fillable one when it has no fields to click.5 min read
Security5
Security tools- Sign PDFHow to send a PDF for someone else to signSend a PDF to one or more people, place where each person signs, and get it back signed with a record of every step. Clear steps and what to check.6 min read
- Redact PDFHow to redact a PDF properlyA black box drawn in an ordinary editor leaves the text underneath. How to redact a PDF so the text is removed, and check it worked before sending.6 min read
- Unlock PDFHow to remove a password from a PDF you can openUnlock a PDF you already have the password for, so it can be filed, uploaded or merged. Why systems reject encrypted files and how to protect a copy again.4 min read
- Sign PDFHow to sign a PDF electronicallyDraw or type your signature, place it on the page and download a signed PDF. Plus what an electronic signature is, and when you need more than one.6 min read
- Protect PDFHow to password protect a PDFLock a PDF so nobody can open it without a password, using real PDF encryption. How to choose the password, share it safely, and what happens if you lose it.5 min read
Organize5
Organize tools- Merge PDFHow to combine a PDF and JPG photos into one PDFPut a PDF form and phone photos of your documents into a single PDF, in the order you choose, with each photo on a page that matches the rest of the file.4 min read
- Merge PDFHow to prepare PDFs for an IRCC application (under 4 MB, one file per field)Meet IRCC upload rules: one file per field, under 4 MB (2 MB on some web forms). The size targets to type and the order that works.6 min read
- Remove PagesHow to delete pages from a PDFRemove blank scans, cover sheets or pages that should not go out, keep the rest in order, and learn what deleting a page does not remove.4 min read
- Merge PDFHow to merge PDF files into one documentCombine several PDFs into one file in the order you choose. Page sizes are kept, nothing is uploaded, and there is no cap on how many files you add.5 min read
- Split PDFHow to split a PDF into separate filesPull out the pages you need, split a PDF every few pages, by size or by bookmarks, and download the parts as separate files. Nothing is uploaded.5 min read