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The split command extracts specified pages or page ranges from a PDF document and saves them as separate PDF files.

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Syntax

python solution.py split <input> <page_ranges>

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Parameters

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input
string
required
Path to the input PDF file to split
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page_ranges
string
required
Comma-separated page numbers and ranges (1-based, inclusive)Syntax:
  • Single page: 5
  • Page range: 1-3
  • Multiple ranges: 1-3,5,7-9
  • Mixed: Combine individual pages and ranges

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Page Range Syntax

Page numbers are 1-based and inclusive:
SyntaxDescriptionPages Extracted
1Single pagePage 1
1-3RangePages 1, 2, 3
1,3,5Individual pagesPages 1, 3, 5
1-3,5Range + individualPages 1, 2, 3, 5
1-3,5,7-9MixedPages 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9

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Usage Examples

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Extract Specific Pages

python solution.py split document.pdf "1-3,5,7-9"
Expected Output: 
[[0, 1, 2], [4], [6, 7, 8]]
Success: Created document_part1.pdf with pages [0, 1, 2]
Success: Created document_part2.pdf with pages [4]
Success: Created document_part3.pdf with pages [6, 7, 8]
Files Created:
  • document_part1.pdf - Contains pages 1, 2, 3
  • document_part2.pdf - Contains page 5
  • document_part3.pdf - Contains pages 7, 8, 9

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Extract First 5 Pages

python solution.py split book.pdf "1-5"
Expected Output: 
[[0, 1, 2, 3, 4]]
Success: Created book_part1.pdf with pages [0, 1, 2, 3, 4]
Files Created:
  • book_part1.pdf - Contains pages 1-5

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Extract Individual Pages

python solution.py split manual.pdf "1,3,5,10"
Expected Output: 
[[0], [2], [4], [9]]
Success: Created manual_part1.pdf with pages [0]
Success: Created manual_part2.pdf with pages [2]
Success: Created manual_part3.pdf with pages [4]
Success: Created manual_part4.pdf with pages [9]
Files Created:
  • manual_part1.pdf - Page 1
  • manual_part2.pdf - Page 3
  • manual_part3.pdf - Page 5
  • manual_part4.pdf - Page 10

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Extract Multiple Ranges

python solution.py split report.pdf "1-2,10-15,25"
Expected Output: 
[[0, 1], [9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14], [24]]
Success: Created report_part1.pdf with pages [0, 1]
Success: Created report_part2.pdf with pages [9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14]
Success: Created report_part3.pdf with pages [24]
Files Created:
  • report_part1.pdf - Pages 1-2
  • report_part2.pdf - Pages 10-15
  • report_part3.pdf - Page 25

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Output File Naming Convention

The split command creates files using this pattern: 
{original_filename}_part{number}.pdf
Where:
  • {original_filename} is the input filename without extension
  • {number} is a sequential counter (1, 2, 3, …)
Examples:
Input FilePage RangesOutput Files
document.pdf1-3,5document_part1.pdf, document_part2.pdf
book.pdf1,5,10book_part1.pdf, book_part2.pdf, book_part3.pdf
report-2024.pdf1-5report-2024_part1.pdf

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Real-World Examples

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Extract Cover and Back Pages

python solution.py split brochure.pdf "1,12"
Extracts the first and last pages of a 12-page brochure.

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Split by Sections

python solution.py split thesis.pdf "1-10,11-25,26-50"
Splits a thesis into three sections:
  • Introduction (pages 1-10)
  • Literature Review (pages 11-25)
  • Methodology (pages 26-50)

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Extract Specific Chapters

python solution.py split textbook.pdf "45-67,120-145"
Extracts chapters 3 and 7 from a textbook.

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Extract Every 10th Page

python solution.py split large-doc.pdf "10,20,30,40,50"
Samples pages at regular intervals for review.

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How It Works

  1. Parse Ranges: Converts the page range string into Python lists
    • "1-3,5,7-9" becomes [[0,1,2], [4], [6,7,8]]
  2. Page Extraction: For each range/page set:
    • Creates a new PdfWriter object
    • Adds specified pages from the input PDF
    • Writes to a new file with sequential naming
  3. Validation: Checks that page numbers are within the PDF’s page count
  4. Output: Creates separate files for each comma-separated range/page

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Notes

  • Page numbers are 1-based (page 1 is the first page)
  • Page ranges are inclusive (1-3 includes pages 1, 2, and 3)
  • Each comma-separated group creates a separate output file
  • Output files are saved in the current working directory
  • Invalid page numbers trigger a warning but don’t stop the process
  • The original PDF is never modified

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Page Number Reference

Understanding 1-based vs 0-based indexing:
User Input (1-based)Internal Index (0-based)Meaning
10First page
21Second page
54Fifth page
1-30, 1, 2First three pages
The tool handles this conversion automatically - you always specify pages using normal page numbers (starting from 1).

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Error Handling

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Page Out of Range

python solution.py split document.pdf "1-100"
If the PDF only has 50 pages: 
Warning: Page 51 is out of range.
Warning: Page 52 is out of range.
...
Success: Created document_part1.pdf with pages [0, 1, 2, ..., 49]

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Invalid Page Range Syntax

python solution.py split document.pdf "1--3"  # Double dash

Error: Invalid page range syntax

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File Not Found

python solution.py split missing.pdf "1-5"

Error: Input file missing.pdf does not exist or is not a file.

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Common Use Cases

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1. Extract Front Matter

python solution.py split book.pdf "1-10"
Extract preface, table of contents, and introduction.

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2. Separate Contract Pages

python solution.py split contract.pdf "1,5,12"
Extract signature pages and key clauses.

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3. Create Chapter Excerpts

python solution.py split textbook.pdf "34-67"
Extract a single chapter for distribution.

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4. Split Large PDF by Sections

python solution.py split manual.pdf "1-50,51-100,101-150"
Break a large manual into manageable sections.
  • merge - Combine multiple PDFs into one
  • convert - Convert between different file formats

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