> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.box.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Splitting a PDF with a manual split

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A manual split divides a PDF into sub-documents using the exact page ranges you define.

Use a manual split when you already know which pages belong together, such as a standard packet layout, a file someone has reviewed, or page ranges supplied by another system.

<Note>
  Box Doc Split is available through the Box API only. To split documents, work with your development team or see [Manual split](https://developer.box.com/guides/docgen/manual-split/) in the Box Developer Documentation.
</Note>

## Before you begin

Make sure you have:

* Box Doc Split enabled. See [Enabling Box Doc Split](/en/box-doc-gen/doc-split/enabling-box-doc-split).
* A source PDF already stored in Box
* A destination folder in Box that you can write to
* The page ranges for each output document

If you are unsure which pages to use, review the PDF first. If the boundaries depend on content or markers rather than fixed page numbers, use a [smart split](/en/box-doc-gen/doc-split/smart-split) instead.

## What you define

A manual split request includes the following:

| Setting            | Description                                                     |
| ------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Source file        | The PDF you want to split                                       |
| Destination folder | The folder where Box stores the output documents                |
| Split type         | Manual                                                          |
| Split definition   | One or more page ranges, each with a start page and an end page |

Each page range creates one output document. Page numbers start at 1, and both the start page and the end page are included in the output.

## Example

You have a 14-page sales packet and want 2 files:

* Pages 1 to 5 for the order summary
* Pages 6 to 14 for the exhibits and terms

The split definition looks like this:

| Output     | Start page | End page |
| ---------- | ---------- | -------- |
| Document 1 | 1          | 5        |
| Document 2 | 6          | 14       |

After Box Doc Split runs, Box saves both files to the destination folder.

## Best practices

* Use page ranges that do not overlap, so each page belongs to only one output document.
* Order your ranges by page number to match the reading order of the source PDF.
* Choose a manual split whenever you already know the page numbers, because the results are the same every time.
* Give destination folders meaningful names, such as `Splits / Customer A / 2026-07`, so reviewers can find the output quickly.

## When to use a smart split instead

Choose a [smart split](/en/box-doc-gen/doc-split/smart-split) when:

* QR codes or separator pages mark the break points.
* You need to keep only certain types of content, such as signatures and ID proofs.
* Page ranges vary from file to file and are easier to describe than to calculate.