Create Digital Trial Binders in Minutes
Combine exhibits into a single PDF with clickable Table of Contents, alphabetic labels (A, B, C...), and per-exhibit page numbering (A1, A2, B1, B2...).
- ExhibitPrep's Trial Binder Mode combines exhibits into one PDF with a clickable table of contents in about 2 minutes, versus 1-3 hours of manual assembly.
- Trial binder exhibits are labeled alphabetically (A, B, C), continuing to AA, AB and beyond when a case has more than 26 exhibits.
- Per-exhibit pagination restarts each exhibit at page 1 with its letter prefix, so 'Exhibit B, page 4' is cited as B4.
- Exhibit titles such as 'Medical Records - Dr. Smith' can be added to each exhibit and appear in the table of contents next to the page range.
- Category slipsheets — divider pages like 'Liability Documents' — can be inserted between sections of the binder, the digital equivalent of physical tab dividers.
- ExhibitPrep costs $4.99 per use to create a trial binder PDF, while iPad presentation apps like Align or TrialPad run $600 or more per year.
- All trial binder processing happens locally in the browser; exhibits are never uploaded to cloud servers.
Trial Binder Output Preview
Table of Contents
Exhibit A - Contract Agreement......... A1-A5
Exhibit B - Email Correspondence....... B1-B12
Exhibit C - Medical Records............. C1-C8
Exhibit D - Photographs.................. D1-D3
The honest take
If you need real-time courtroom presentation with live annotation, consider iPad apps like Align or TrialPad. But if you need to create the trial binder PDF itself—with proper labels, pagination, and TOC—ExhibitPrep does exactly that for $4.99.
Trial Binder Mode Features
Alphabetic Labels
Exhibits labeled A, B, C... (or AA, AB... for 26+ exhibits). Matches traditional plaintiff/defendant exhibit conventions.
Per-Exhibit Pagination
Each exhibit starts at page 1 with letter prefix: A1, A2, A3, B1, B2. Easy to cite "Exhibit B, page 4" (B4).
Clickable TOC
Auto-generated Table of Contents with hyperlinks. Click any exhibit to jump directly to it.
Exhibit Titles
Add descriptions to each exhibit ("Medical Records - Dr. Smith"). Titles appear in TOC.
Category Slipsheets
Insert divider pages between sections (Liability, Damages, etc.). Like physical tab dividers.
Local Processing
All PDF processing happens on your device. Trial exhibits never upload to cloud servers.
Why the format matters: California Rules of Court 3.1110(c) requires each exhibit to be marked with a sequential letter or number "so as to be readily identifiable" and permits electronic exhibit lists that the court and reporter can follow page-by-page. Most other states use an equivalent local rule for exhibit marking and exchange. A digital trial binder that labels exhibits alphabetically and restarts pagination at each exhibit (A1, A2, B1, B2) mirrors the tab structure a court reporter or judge expects from a physical binder, just in PDF form.
How to Create a Digital Trial Binder
Upload Your Exhibits
Drag and drop all your trial exhibits. Reorder by dragging or using arrow buttons. ExhibitPrep handles PDFs of any size.
Enable Trial Binder Mode
Select a party template (Plaintiff's or Defendant's Exhibit) and enable "Table of Contents." Trial Binder Mode auto-activates with per-exhibit pagination.
Add Exhibit Titles (Optional)
Click the edit icon next to each exhibit to add a description. These appear in the Table of Contents: "Exhibit A - Medical Records......A1-A5"
Download Combined PDF
Download your complete digital trial binder—single PDF with TOC, bookmarks, alphabetic labels, and per-exhibit page numbers. Ready for court or upload to presentation apps.
See Trial Binder Mode in Action
Watch how to create a complete digital trial binder with Table of Contents.
Trial Binder Solutions Compared
| Feature | ExhibitPrep | Align | Manual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99/use | $600+/year | Free (hours of work) |
| Creates PDF binder | — | ||
| Clickable TOC | — | ||
| Per-exhibit pagination | — | — | |
| Courtroom presentation | — | — | |
| Time to create | ~2 minutes | ~10 minutes | 1-3 hours |
When to Use Each Tool
Use ExhibitPrep when...
- You need to create the trial binder PDF
- You want per-exhibit pagination (A1, A2, B1...)
- Budget matters—$4.99 vs $600+/year
- Files must stay local (no cloud upload)
Use presentation apps when...
- You need live courtroom presentation
- Real-time annotation is required
- You trial frequently (5+ trials/year)
- iPad presentation is your workflow
Pro tip: Use ExhibitPrep to create your trial binder PDF, then import it into Align, TrialPad, or another presentation app. Get the best of both worlds—proper exhibit organization AND courtroom presentation features.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a digital trial binder?
A digital trial binder is a PDF containing all trial exhibits, organized with a clickable table of contents and alphabetic labels (Exhibit A, B, C...) with per-exhibit page numbering (A1, A2, B1, B2...). It replaces physical trial binders while maintaining the same organizational structure.
How do I create a digital trial binder PDF?
ExhibitPrep creates digital trial binders automatically. Upload your exhibits, enable Trial Binder Mode, and download a combined PDF with clickable Table of Contents, alphabetic labels (A, B, C...), and per-exhibit page numbering (A1, A2, B1, B2...). Takes under 2 minutes.
What is per-exhibit page numbering?
Per-exhibit page numbering means each exhibit restarts at page 1 with its exhibit letter prefix. So Exhibit A pages are A1, A2, A3; Exhibit B pages are B1, B2, B3. This matches traditional trial binder tab organization and makes it easy to cite "Exhibit A, page 3" (A3).
What's the difference between ExhibitPrep and iPad trial apps like Align or TrialPad?
Align and TrialPad are courtroom presentation apps for iPads ($600+/year). ExhibitPrep creates the trial binder PDF itself—stamp exhibits, generate TOC, add per-exhibit pagination. Use ExhibitPrep to prepare your binder, then import into presentation apps if needed.
Can I add exhibit titles to my digital trial binder?
Yes! ExhibitPrep's Trial Binder Mode lets you add descriptions to each exhibit (e.g., "Medical Records - Dr. Smith"). These appear in the clickable Table of Contents alongside the exhibit letter and page range.
How do I organize exhibits with slipsheets in a digital binder?
ExhibitPrep can automatically insert category slipsheets (divider pages) between sections of your trial binder—like "Liability Documents" and "Damages Documents." These work like physical tab dividers in a traditional binder.
Does a digital trial binder satisfy California's exhibit marking rule?
California Rules of Court 3.1110(c) requires exhibits to be marked with sequential letters or numbers and identified in a way the court and reporter can follow. A digital trial binder with alphabetic labels, per-exhibit pagination, and a table of contents satisfies that requirement in electronic form—check with the individual courtroom on whether a courtesy paper copy is still expected.
Create Your Digital Trial Binder
Alphabetic labels, per-exhibit pagination, clickable TOC—all for $4.99.
Try Trial Binder Mode