Merge any file type with iLovePDF Desktop

Merging files used to mean converting everything to PDF first, then stitching them together. Not anymore. The Merge PDF tool in iLovePDF Desktop has been upgraded so you can now combine almost any common document or image format into one clean PDF, without the extra steps in between.

Whether you're putting together a client proposal that mixes a Word brief, an Excel quote and a few JPGs, or assembling a board pack from scattered PowerPoints and PDFs, you can drop them all into one place and get a single PDF in seconds.

Key takeaways

• The Merge tool in iLovePDF Desktop now accepts files beyond PDF, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and a wide range of image formats.
• Conversion happens automatically during the merge, so there's no need to prepare files in advance.
• The feature works on both the Windows and Mac versions of the desktop app.
• It's designed for everyday workflows: proposals, reports, scanned documents, presentations and mixed file bundles.
• Files are processed locally on your machine, which keeps sensitive documents in your environment.

What changed in the Merge PDF tool

Before this update, the Merge tool was strict about input: you brought PDFs in, you got a PDF out. Anything else, like a .docx contract or a .xlsx pricing sheet, had to be converted first using a separate tool.

The new version removes that step. The desktop app now detects the file type, converts each non-PDF file on the fly and merges everything in the order you choose. The output is still a single PDF, but the path to get there is shorter and far less frustrating.

This matters most for people who deal with mixed-format documents every day. Legal teams pull contracts, signed PDFs and scanned annexes into one record. Finance teams stitch invoices, spreadsheets and reports into monthly packs. Marketing teams combine briefs, slides and image assets for review.

The full list of supported file types

Here's exactly what you can drop into the Merge tool now.

PDF and vector files: .pdf, .ai

Images: .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .tif, .tiff, .jpe, .jfif, .jfi, .jif, .bmp, .gif, .svg, .webp

Word documents: .doc, .docx, .dot, .dotm, .dotx, .docm, .odt

PowerPoint presentations: .ppt, .pptx, .pps, .ppsx, .pot, .potx, .potm, .ppsm, .pptm, .odp

Excel spreadsheets: .xls, .xlsx, .xlsm, .xlt, .xltm, .xltx, .ods

That covers nearly every document and image format you're likely to receive from colleagues, clients or scanning hardware. Open-source formats from LibreOffice and OpenOffice (.odt, .ods, .odp) are supported too, so you don't have to convert those manually before merging.

How to merge any file type in iLovePDF Desktop

The process is the same one you already know from the web tool, with the only difference being that you can now pull in more file types.

If you've used the Merge PDF tool on iLovePDF before, this will feel familiar. The interface hasn't changed; only the range of accepted files has expanded.

Why this update is useful for real work

Merging is one of those tasks that sounds trivial until you actually do it under pressure. Most documents that need to be sent or archived aren't born as a single PDF. They start as a brief in Word, a quote in Excel, a deck in PowerPoint and a couple of supporting images in a phone-scanned folder.

Before, you'd convert each one separately, then merge. Now you skip a step. For someone who does this several times a day, that adds up fast.

A few common situations where this helps:

Client proposals: combine a Word cover letter, a PDF case study, a PowerPoint pitch and screenshot images into one deliverable.

Internal reports: stitch monthly Excel summaries, written commentary in Word and scanned receipts into one archive-ready file.

Onboarding packs: bring HR forms, ID scans and signed agreements into a single document for record-keeping.

Academic submissions: combine a thesis chapter in Word with diagrams in PNG and reference scans in PDF.

The fewer the steps, the lower the chance of sending the wrong version or losing track of a file along the way.

Working locally on Windows and Mac

iLovePDF Desktop processes files on your computer rather than sending them to a remote server. For teams handling sensitive contracts, financial records or personal data, that's an important distinction. You get the same merge experience as the web tool, but the files stay on your machine.

This is part of how iLovePDF supports both individuals looking for quick solutions and enterprises with stricter document handling needs. For a wider look at how data protection works across iLovePDF tools, our overview of PDF security and encryption basics is a good place to start.

The update is identical on both platforms. If your team uses a mix of Windows and Mac machines, no one is left out of the new functionality, and the experience matches across operating systems.

Tips for cleaner merges

A few small habits make merged PDFs look more polished and easier to share.

Rename your files before merging if order matters. The app respects the order you set in the workspace, but clear names help you double-check at a glance.

Watch out for very large PowerPoint or image files. Heavy decks with embedded video or huge image libraries can make the output PDF larger than expected. If size is a concern, run the result through the Compress PDF tool afterward.

Check page orientation for image-heavy merges. Scans and photos sometimes import with unexpected rotation. The Rotate PDF tool lets you fix that in a few clicks.

If you plan to share the final PDF externally, consider adding light protection. You can apply a password or restrict editing with the Protect PDF tool right after merging.

If the merged document is headed for long-term storage, converting it to PDF/A is a sensible final step. We cover the reasoning in our piece on PDF/A conversion for long-term archiving.

Frequently asked questions

Is this update available on both Windows and Mac?

Yes. The new Merge functionality is live on the iLovePDF app for Microsoft Windows and the iLovePDF app for Mac.

Do I need to convert my Word, Excel or PowerPoint files to PDF first?

No. The desktop app converts them automatically during the merge. You drop the original file in and get a single PDF out.

Are open-format files like .odt, .ods and .odp supported?

Yes. LibreOffice and OpenOffice formats are included alongside the standard Microsoft Office formats.

Can I merge images directly into a PDF?

Yes. JPG, PNG, TIFF, BMP, GIF, SVG, WebP and several other image formats can be merged into a single PDF without converting them first.

Will my files be uploaded to a server?

No. iLovePDF Desktop processes files locally on your machine, so documents stay on your computer.

In summary

The updated Merge tool in iLovePDF Desktop turns a multi-step task into a single one. Instead of converting each file before combining them, you drop in PDFs, Word docs, Excel sheets, slides and images together, set the order and get one clean PDF on the other side. It's faster, less error-prone and works the same way on Windows and Mac.

Putting it to work this week

The update is small on paper but big in practice: one fewer step, every time you merge. If most of your week involves pulling mixed-format files into a single document, this is the kind of change that quietly saves hours each month.

If you haven't installed the desktop app yet, this is a good moment. Trusted by international enterprises and used daily by individuals who just need a fast way to organize their files, iLovePDF Desktop brings the full suite of PDF tools, including the upgraded Merge feature, to your computer.

Download iLovePDF Desktop and start merging any file type today

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