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Step one: gather and order the pieces
Start by collecting every source file in one folder and renaming each with a number prefix that shows its final position. Consider a job applicant assembling a cover letter, résumé, two reference letters and a certificate. Number them 01 through 05 in the order a reader should encounter them. Check each file opens correctly and has the right orientation, since sideways pages are easier to fix before merging. Remove duplicates and outdated versions now. This preparation takes a couple of minutes but prevents the most common problem: discovering after combining that a page belongs somewhere else entirely.
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Step two: decide what stays and what goes
Before combining, decide whether each source should be included whole or only in part. In the applicant example, the certificate scan may include a blank back page, and a reference letter might carry a long email footer. Preview each file and note page ranges to keep. Most merge tools let you select pages or delete them after combining, but trimming first keeps the page count honest. Also think about size: a high-resolution scan can make the final file too large for an upload limit. If a limit applies, compress the heavy files individually before merging so quality choices remain under your control.
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Step three: merge, review and name the result
Add the files to your merge tool in numbered order, run the combination and open the output immediately. Scroll through every page: confirm the sequence, check that nothing is cut off, and verify that any links or form fields still behave as expected. For the applicant, the cover letter should come first and the certificate last. Then save under a descriptive name such as the person's surname, the role and the date, rather than a generic title. Keep the original separate files in a labeled folder, so if a single document changes later, you can rebuild the merged version quickly.