Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions regarding privacy, security, file limits, and document processing.
Privacy & Security
Are my PDF documents uploaded to any remote server or cloud?▾
Never. PDFella operates 100% inside your browser. All file reading, page extraction, image rendering, merging, and compression execute locally in your computer or smartphone's memory. No file data is ever transmitted across the internet.
Is PDFella safe for sensitive legal, financial, or medical documents?▾
Yes. Because zero data leaves your local machine, PDFella is inherently compatible with strict non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), GDPR privacy obligations, and HIPAA considerations that prohibit uploading confidential files to third-party cloud converters.
Do you store file metadata, filenames, or analytical logs?▾
No. We do not store, inspect, or log your file names, page contents, or metadata. Once you close or reload the browser tab, your document is wiped from browser memory.
Does PDFella use cookies or third-party tracking pixels?▾
No. We do not use tracking cookies, invasive analytics, or third-party marketing pixels.
File Limits & Capabilities
Is there a limit on file size or the number of documents I can process?▾
PDFella enforces a generous 200MB file limit to ensure smooth processing directly inside your browser. There are no daily quotas, paywalls, or limits on how many times you can use the utilities.
Can I use PDFella completely offline?▾
Yes. Once the web application has finished loading in your browser, you can disconnect from Wi-Fi or cellular networks and continue merging, splitting, and organizing PDFs without an active connection.
Are there any watermarks added to the downloaded documents?▾
No. PDFella produces clean, watermark-free documents suitable for professional and personal distribution.
Can I edit password-protected or encrypted PDF files?▾
Documents that are restricted by owner or user passwords must be unlocked before processing. PDFella respects document cryptographic permissions.
Tools & Operations
How does the page range syntax work in the PDF Splitter?▾
You can select individual pages ('1, 3, 5'), contiguous ranges ('1-5'), or mixed syntax ('1-3, 5, 8-12'). The input box and visual page cards sync bidirectionally in real time.
Can I rotate individual pages without rotating the whole document?▾
Yes. In the Organize PDF utility, each page card has its own independent 90-degree rotation buttons, allowing you to fix upside-down or sideways pages individually.
How does private PDF compression work?▾
PDFella inspects the PDF document stream, removes redundant metadata, deduplicates font dictionaries, and resamples embedded raster graphics based on your chosen preset (Extreme, Recommended, or Light).
Will compression degrade vector text or digital signatures?▾
No. Vector text outlines, fonts, digital forms, and vector drawings remain sharp and resolution-independent.
Performance & Troubleshooting
What should I do if my browser shows a memory pressure warning?▾
If you are processing very large documents (hundreds of pages), PDFella monitors browser memory and may recommend closing inactive tabs to free up RAM. Switching between Fast thumbnail mode and Visual mode also helps.
Which browsers are officially supported?▾
PDFella supports all modern evergreen browsers with HTML5 and WebAssembly capabilities, including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Microsoft Edge, and mobile browsers on iOS and Android.