PDF Splitter

Purpose & User Intent: The tool solves the need to partition a PDF document into multiple smaller documents based on explicit page ranges. Target users include legal teams, auditors, educators, consultants, and operations professionals who must share or archive selective content. It is used when a single file contains a report, contract, manual, or handbook that must be distributed in parts or reviewed in stages.
Core Logic & Features: Domain capabilities include parsing an input PDF, interpreting defined page ranges, and generating one output PDF per range while preserving layout and metadata. Required features: file input, range specification, and per-range output generation. Advanced features: password-protected input support, custom naming, optional ZIP packaging, preservation of hyperlinks, and batch processing for multiple PDFs in one run. Example: input 1-3,5-7 yields outputs PDF_01.pdf, PDF_02.pdf, etc., with optional PDFs named by a user-provided prefix.
Inputs & Outputs: Inputs: pdf_file (PDF, required), page_ranges (string like "1-3,5-7", required), password (string, optional), output_format (string, optional: "zip" or "individual"), naming_prefix (string, optional). Outputs: multiple PDFs or a ZIP archive; mime type application/pdf; sample outputs include PDF_01.pdf, PDF_02.pdf, or a single archive. Outputs preserve original fonts, images, and hyperlinks where possible.
Algorithms & Calculations: The tool computes total_pages from the source, expands each range into a list of pages, validates bounds, and extracts those pages into new PDFs. It uses 1-based indexing for ranges; names are derived from the prefix and range index unless overridden. It avoids duplicating pages and handles empty ranges by skipping them.
Error & Edge Cases: Invalid or corrupted PDFs raise a parsing error. Missing or malformed page_ranges results in a clear, non-destructive error. Encrypted PDFs require a valid password. Ranges outside 1..N are clipped or rejected. Large files may trigger memory limits; the tool processes in streams where possible.
Industry/Region & Localization: Outputs comply with PDF standards; character encoding and page numbering follow ISO conventions. Metadata handling respects locale where supplied.
Assumptions & Exclusions: Assumes input is a readable PDF; does not OCR, translate, or reformat content. No editing; only extraction and splitting. Excludes watermarking or merging outputs.