---
title: "PDF Software for Law Firms on Mac: Bates, Redaction"
description: "Bates numbering, real redaction, metadata removal and court-ready PDFs for lawyers and paralegals on Mac. Files never leave the Mac."
url: https://sheafai.app/pdf-software-for-law-firms-mac
---

# PDF software for law firms on Mac

Productions, filings and exhibits involve the same PDF chores every day. Sheaf does them where you drag the file, without uploading privileged documents anywhere.

**In short:** Sheaf gives lawyers and paralegals on Mac Bates numbering across a whole production, redaction that deletes the text underneath, removal of metadata and hidden data, court-ready PDFs under the e-filing size limit, watermarks, headers and footers, and certified copies. Everything runs on the Mac.

Updated 9 November 2026

## What it does for you

**Bates numbering**Number a whole production in one go, like SMITH000001, with the prefix and digits you choose. The next production continues the sequence.

**Real redaction**Finds names, emails, phone, card, account, Social Security and other ID numbers, including in scans. The text underneath is deleted, not covered.

**Remove metadata**Strips author, edit history, comments, attachments and scripts before a document leaves the firm. Pages look the same.

**Court-ready PDF**Flattens, makes scans searchable, removes hidden data and keeps each file under your court's limit (35 MB by default), splitting into parts if needed.

**Exhibits and bundles**Merge exhibits into one PDF with a bookmark for each, then add page numbers or “Exhibit A” headers.

**Privileged & Confidential**A one-tap watermark the firm can set for everyone.

**Certified true copies**Stamp copies with your signature and the wording your jurisdiction uses.

**Sign and fill forms**Sign engagement letters and fill court forms without printing.

## A typical day

1. Select the documents for a production in Finder and start dragging.
2. Pause, choose Number pages › Bates, check the prefix and range, and number them.
3. Drag the numbered set again and choose Redact; review what Sheaf found and save.
4. Before filing, drag the final PDF and choose Court-ready.

## Why it's safe to use with client files

- **Nothing is uploaded.** Every action runs on the Mac; Sheaf has no servers and no account.
- **Originals are never changed.** Each result is a new file next to the original, with Undo.
- **Sandboxed and reviewed by Apple.** Sheaf is sold only on the Mac App Store and opens only the files you give it.
- **Ready for IT.** [Sheaf for Business](https://sheafai.app/business) deploys through Apple Business Manager with managed settings.

See [every feature](https://sheafai.app/features).

[Download for Mac](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6830258390)

Free 7-day trial · then one purchase, no subscription

## Questions

### Does Sheaf's redaction remove the text or just cover it?

It removes it. The text under each redaction is deleted from the new file, so it can't be copied or recovered from that file.

### Can Bates numbers continue across productions?

Yes. Sheaf remembers the next number for each prefix on that Mac, and you can set the start number yourself.

### What size limit does Court-ready use?

35 MB by default, which suits many US federal courts. Change it in Settings to match your court.

### Is it safe for privileged documents?

Sheaf doesn't upload anything; every action runs on the Mac and Sheaf has no servers.