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Multi-Tool Workbench

Tool ID: multiTool

Multi-Tool is Stirling-PDF's page editor workspace. Upload your PDFs and manipulate pages visually - rotate, reorder, delete, and split pages with an intuitive interface.

:::tip V2.0 Feature Multi-Tool takes advantage of browser file storage, allowing you to upload files once and work with them across multiple page operations without re-uploading. :::

What is Multi-Tool?

Multi-Tool is a page manipulation workspace where you can: - Upload PDFs and see thumbnail previews of every page - Rotate pages individually or in batches - Reorder pages by dragging them into position - Delete unwanted pages - Split PDFs by marking page breaks - Undo/redo all changes before exporting

Key Features

📁 Persistent File Storage

Files stay in your browser's local storage throughout your session: - Upload once, use many times - No re-uploading between operations - Files persist even when switching tools - Clear storage when done for privacy

📄 Page Manipulation

Powerful page-level editing: - Rotate pages individually or in batches - Drag-and-drop page reordering - Delete unwanted pages - Split PDFs at marked positions

👁️ Visual File Management

See what you're working with: - Thumbnail previews of all PDFs - File names and sizes displayed - Quick file selection

⏮️ Undo/Redo Support

Made a mistake? No problem: - Undo operations to previous versions - Redo changes you undid - Version history tracking - Jump to any previous state

🎯 Focused Workspace

Everything in one place: - Clean, uncluttered interface - Tool settings sidebar - File preview area - Results management

How to Use Multi-Tool

Getting Started

  1. Open Multi-Tool
  2. Click "Multi-Tool" from the home page (in Recommended Tools)

  3. Or navigate to it from the tools menu

  4. Upload Your Files

  5. Drag and drop PDFs into the workspace
  6. Or click to browse and select files

  7. Upload one or multiple PDFs as needed

  8. Select a Tool

  9. Click the tool selector/menu
  10. Browse or search for the operation you need

  11. Tool opens in the sidebar with its settings

  12. Configure and Process

  13. Adjust tool-specific settings
  14. Select which files to process

  15. Click "Process" or "Apply"

  16. Continue Working

  17. Result is added to your workspace
  18. Original file preserved (unless you choose to replace)
  19. Select another tool to continue
  20. Build your workflow step by step

Common Workflows

Example 1: Document Preparation

Goal: Prepare a scanned document for distribution

  1. Upload your scanned PDF
  2. OCR → Make it searchable
  3. Crop → Remove scanner edges
  4. Compress → Reduce file size
  5. Add Watermark → Brand the document
  6. Download → Save final version

Time saved: No re-uploading between 5 operations!

Example 2: Multi-Document Merger

Goal: Combine and enhance multiple PDFs

  1. Upload multiple PDF files
  2. Merge → Combine into one document
  3. Add Page Numbers → Number all pages
  4. Add Table of Contents → Improve navigation
  5. Add Password → Secure the result
  6. Download → Final protected document

Benefit: All files managed in one workspace

Example 3: Experimentation

Goal: Find the best compression settings

  1. Upload your PDF
  2. Compress with low settings → Check quality
  3. Undo → Return to original
  4. Compress with medium settings → Compare
  5. Undo → Try again
  6. Compress with high settings → Find best balance
  7. Download preferred version

Advantage: Undo/redo lets you compare results easily

Example 4: Batch Processing

Goal: Apply same operations to multiple files

  1. Upload 10 PDF files
  2. Rotate → Fix orientation on all
  3. Crop → Remove margins from all
  4. Add Watermark → Brand all documents
  5. Download All → Get processed batch

Efficiency: Process entire batch without individual uploads

File Management

Adding Files

  • Drag and Drop: Easiest method - drag PDFs into workspace
  • Browse: Click "Add Files" or upload button
  • From Previous Operation: Results automatically added to workspace

Organizing Files

  • Select: Click to select files for specific operations
  • Multi-Select: Hold Ctrl/Cmd to select multiple files

Removing Files

  • Individual: Click X or delete button on file thumbnail
  • Clear All: Use "Clear Files" button to remove everything
  • Auto-Clear: Files clear when you close the browser (configurable)

Storage Information

  • Used Space: See how much browser storage you're using
  • Remaining Space: Check available space
  • Per-File Size: Each file shows its size
  • Total Size: See total workspace usage

Workspace Features

File Previews

  • Thumbnails: First page thumbnail for each PDF
  • Quick Preview: Click thumbnail for larger preview
  • Page Count: Shows number of pages per file
  • File Info: See file size and last modified time

Settings and Options

  • Tool Settings: Configure each operation's parameters
  • Apply to Selected: Process only selected files
  • Apply to All: Process entire workspace
  • Batch Mode: Process multiple files with same settings

Best Practices

1. Organize Before Starting

  • Name your files descriptively before uploading
  • Group related files together
  • Plan your workflow sequence

2. Work Progressively

  • Start with one file to test settings
  • Apply same settings to batch once confirmed
  • Build complexity gradually

3. Use Undo Liberally

  • Try different settings and compare
  • Don't worry about mistakes
  • Experiment freely with undo safety net

4. Manage Storage

  • Clear completed projects regularly
  • Download important results immediately
  • Monitor storage usage indicator
  • Use desktop app for unlimited storage

5. Save Intermediate Results

  • Download important intermediate versions
  • Don't rely on browser storage long-term
  • Clear files before closing on shared computers

6. Leverage File Persistence

  • Upload all related files at once
  • Use them across multiple operations
  • Avoid re-uploading unnecessarily

Tips and Tricks

Speed Up Your Workflow

  • Quick Tool Switch: Use search to find tools quickly
  • Favorite Tools: Frequently used tools appear first
  • Batch Operations: Select multiple files and process at once
  • Undo/Redo: Use toolbar buttons to revert or reapply changes

Avoid Common Issues

  • Storage Full: Clear old files before uploading large PDFs
  • Lost Files: Download important results before clearing storage
  • Performance: Close and reopen Multi-Tool if it becomes slow
  • Browser Refresh: Save work before refreshing (files may clear)

Advanced Techniques

  • Version Branching: Keep multiple versions to try different approaches
  • Quality Comparison: Compress at different levels and compare
  • Template Workflows: Develop standard sequences for repetitive tasks
  • Batch Consistency: Use same settings across document sets

Multi-Tool vs. Individual Tools vs. Automate

Use Multi-Tool When:

✅ Working with multiple related operations ✅ Need flexibility to adjust on the fly ✅ Experimenting with different settings ✅ Want visual feedback at each step ✅ Processing a few files with various operations

Use Individual Tools When:

✅ Single, simple operation needed ✅ Quick one-off task ✅ Don't need file persistence ✅ Processing one file, one time

Use Automate When:

✅ Same workflow repeated frequently ✅ Predictable, consistent operations ✅ Automated folder processing ✅ No manual intervention needed ✅ Large batch processing

Browser Storage and Privacy

How It Works

  • Files stored in your browser's local IndexedDB
  • Data never leaves your device until you process
  • Only you can access your stored files
  • Storage is per-domain (isolated from other sites)

Storage Limits

Typical browser limits: - Chrome/Edge: ~10GB or 60% of available disk space - Firefox: ~10GB - Safari: ~1GB (more restrictive)

Privacy Controls

  • Clear on Exit: Configure browser to clear data on close
  • Manual Clear: Use "Clear Files" button anytime
  • Incognito Mode: Storage cleared when window closes
  • Desktop App: Full offline privacy, unlimited storage

Security Notes

  • Files are not encrypted in browser storage
  • Don't store highly sensitive documents long-term
  • Use desktop app for sensitive work
  • Clear storage on shared/public computers

Troubleshooting

Files Disappeared

Possible Causes: - Browser cleared storage automatically - You clicked "Clear Files" - Browser data was cleared manually - Switched to incognito mode

Solutions: - Check Downloads folder (you may have saved them) - Use desktop app for persistent storage - Enable "persistent storage" in browser settings

Out of Storage Space

Symptoms: Can't upload new files, error messages

Solutions: 1. Clear old/completed projects 2. Download and delete large files 3. Use desktop app for large projects 4. Compress files before uploading

Multi-Tool Running Slowly

Symptoms: Lag, freezing, slow response

Solutions: 1. Clear unused files from workspace 2. Close other browser tabs 3. Restart browser 4. Use desktop app for better performance 5. Reduce number of files in workspace

Can't Find a Tool

Symptoms: Tool missing from Multi-Tool

Possible Reasons: - Tool has dedicated interface (Compare, Automate, Sign) - Tool has been disabled by administrator - Search for tool name to locate it

Desktop App vs. Browser Multi-Tool

Browser Multi-Tool

Pros: - No installation needed - Access from any device - Automatic updates - Web-based convenience

Cons: - Storage limits (~1-10GB) - Files may be cleared - Requires internet for processing - Browser-dependent performance

Desktop App Multi-Tool

Pros: - Unlimited storage - True persistent files - Completely offline capable - Native performance - Files in your file system

Cons: - Requires installation - Device-specific - Manual updates

Recommendation: Desktop app for serious work, browser for quick tasks

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I save my Multi-Tool workspace?

Not directly, but you can: - Download all processed files - Use Automate to save operation sequences - Desktop app keeps files in your file system

How long are files stored?

  • Until you manually clear them
  • Until browser storage is cleared
  • Until browser closes (if configured that way)
  • Desktop app: indefinitely in your file system

Can I access files from another device?

No, browser storage is device-specific. Options: - Download files and transfer them - Use cloud storage between devices - Self-host Stirling-PDF on your network

Does Multi-Tool work offline?

  • Browser: No, requires server connection for processing
  • Desktop App: Yes, completely offline capable

Can I process multiple files at once?

Yes! Select multiple files and most operations will process them in batch.

Summary

Multi-Tool is your PDF command center in Stirling-PDF V2: - 📁 Upload once, use everywhere - 🔄 Chain unlimited operations - ⏮️ Undo/redo for experimentation - 👁️ Visual file management - 🚀 Efficient multi-step workflows

Perfect for: Complex PDF tasks, multi-step operations, batch processing, and exploratory work.

Ready to supercharge your PDF workflow? Open Multi-Tool and experience the V2 difference!