A single-sided scanner fed a double-sided stack produces two files: all the fronts, then all the backs in reverse. Alternate & Mix interleaves them back into the original reading order, which is much faster than moving every page by hand.
Step by step
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1
Upload your files
Drag your PDFs onto the box, or click Choose files. The list can be reordered before you run anything.
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2
Ordering pages
Give the two files, then choose how many pages to take from each before switching. Reversed even pages? Set the second file to run backwards so the backs line up.
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3
Run it and download
Press Alternate & Mix and the page shows progress while it works. When it finishes you get a download link — nothing is emailed and nothing is stored longer than it needs to be.
The two-run scanner problem
Scan the stack of fronts, flip the whole stack, then scan the backs. The second file is usually in reverse order. Point the tool at both files, take one page from each before switching, and run the second file backwards when necessary.
Pages per switch
Most documents alternate one page at a time. A booklet or a two-up form may use a different rhythm; set the number of pages to take from each side before switching. If the pages do not line up, check the source order before changing the step.
Check the result
Read the first four output pages: front, back, front, back in reading order. If the backs are reversed, change that source’s direction. Keep the two source scans until the interleaved copy is checked; re-running is cheaper than repairing a shuffled document.
Good habits for Alternate & Mix
- Page thumbnails are tap-friendly, so you can reorder and delete on a phone.
- Every tool works on a copy — your original file is never modified.
- Use Split by text when a document has no bookmarks to split on.
Common questions
Is this tool free?
Yes. Every tool on this site is free to use, with no sign-up, no watermark and no daily task limit.
Do I need to install anything?
No. The tools run in your browser and are processed by this server.
What happens to my files?
They are stored under an unguessable id and swept automatically after a couple of hours. Nothing is shared or indexed.
Does it work on a phone?
Yes. The page pickers and editors are built for touch, so dragging, rotating and selecting pages all work without a mouse.
What does Alternate & Mix do exactly?
Mixes pages from 2 or more documents, alternating between them.
Can I use this for a booklet?
The tool interleaves pages from two files; it does not impose a folded booklet signature. Use N-up or a dedicated booklet workflow for imposition.
What if the backs are upside down?
Rotate the back file first, then interleave. A rotation applied to the mixed output would affect the fronts too.
Are the original files changed?
No. The tool builds a new document from the two sources; both uploads stay untouched.