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Write Arabic in a PDF file: Hijri dates and Arabic page numbers

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Official letters and reports in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf often need an Arabic page number and a Hijri date in the footer. This guide shows how to write Arabic in a PDF file with the free EasyArchive Arabic PDF Tools: page numbers such as صفحة ١ من ٣, a Hijri (Umm al-Qura) or Gregorian date, or both — and explains honestly where the Hijri date can differ from official announcements.

Steps

  1. Open the tool and add PDFs

    Open Arabic PDF Tools and drop one or several PDFs; the settings apply to every file.

  2. Choose a page-number format

    Pick صفحة {n} من {p} or another preset, or a custom template that combines number and date, e.g. الصفحة {n} من {p} — {date}. Choose Arabic-Indic ١٢٣ or Western 123 digits.

  3. Renumber if needed

    Use "Start at" for the first number, "Skip first page (cover)", or a page range such as 2- or 1-3,5.

  4. Add the date

    Under "Date" choose Hijri (Umm al-Qura), Gregorian or Hijri + Gregorian, then the "Date to print". The same date is printed on all selected pages, for example ٥ جمادى الأولى ١٤٤٨ هـ (illustrative).

  5. Set position and style

    Choose the position (bottom center, top right, …), font size, margin, color and bold.

  6. Preview, download and check the date

    Check the preview, process and download. For official documents, double-check the printed Hijri date (see below).

Which Hijri calendar is used?

The tool uses the Umm al-Qura calendar through the browser's built-in Intl API (islamic-umalqura). Umm al-Qura is calculated in advance and is the calendar used for civil purposes in Saudi Arabia.

Heads-up: possible one-day difference from moon sighting

The start of some Hijri months, notably Ramadan, Shawwal and Dhu al-Hijjah, is announced after moon sighting and can differ by a day from Umm al-Qura. Some countries and institutions follow their own calendars or announcements, and some software uses the tabular (arithmetical) Hijri calendar, which can differ by one or two days. Check the printed date against the official date when it matters; you can pick the date to print manually.

Browser differences

Because the conversion relies on the browser's calendar data, very old browsers may give different results. Use a current version of Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari.

Write other Arabic text on the PDF

Besides numbers and dates you can add free Arabic text anywhere (a reference number, "سري"), with proper letter joining and right-to-left order.

Related guides

Add Hijri dates and Arabic page numbers

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Frequently asked questions

How do I write Arabic in a PDF file?

Open Arabic PDF Tools, add your PDF, then add Arabic page numbers, a Hijri date or free Arabic text, and download the result.

Is the Hijri date always the same as the official date?

The tool uses Umm al-Qura. In some months or countries the sighting-based start of the month can differ by a day, so check dates on official documents.

Can I print both Hijri and Gregorian dates?

Yes, choose "Hijri + Gregorian".

Does the date change from page to page?

No, the chosen date is printed on all selected pages.

Is it free?

Yes, the tool is free and runs in your browser.

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