Bulk Downloading Documents

Learn how to use the "Select All" and "Download Docs" features to retrieve multiple PDFs simultaneously as a ZIP file.

Summary

Learn how to download multiple documents, or an entire case file, at once, saving you the time of clicking on individual docket entries.

Why This is Important

In complex litigation, a case might have hundreds of filings. Downloading the Complaint, Answer, Motions, and Exhibits one by one is tedious. The Bulk Download feature allows you to grab everything you need in a single action, delivering a neat ZIP file to your computer.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Open the Case

Navigate to the docket sheet of the case containing the documents you want.

Step 2: Activate Download Mode

  1. Click the Download Docs button located in the toolbar at the top of the case header.

  2. The docket sheet will change appearance slightly, adding checkboxes next to every docket entry.

Clicking 'Download Docs' reveals selection checkboxes for every entry.

Step 3: Select Documents

You have two options:

  • Select Specific Files: Manually check the boxes next to the specific documents you want (e.g., Entry #1, #5, and #12).

  • Select All: Click the Select All checkbox at the top of the list to grab every available document in the case.

Step 4: Download

  1. Once your selection is made, click the Download button (usually located near the top or bottom of the selection list).

  2. When the download is complete, click Save.

  3. The system will compile the PDFs into a ZIP folder.

  4. Save the ZIP file to your computer and extract it to view the individual PDFs.

Important Notes on Fees

  • Cached Documents: If a document has already been downloaded by another Docket Alarm user, it is available to you for free.

  • New Documents (PACER): If a document has never been downloaded before (indicated by a "Get from PACER" or similar icon), downloading it may incur the standard court retrieval fee (e.g., $0.10/page on PACER), depending on your subscription plan.

Pro Tip: Use the Filter Docket Entries search bar (top right of the docket sheet) before you click Download Docs. For example, type "Complaint" to filter the list, click Show Only, then click "Select All" to download only the complaints, ignoring all other entries.

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Need more help?

If the download button is grayed out, ensure you have selected at least one document. If the ZIP file is empty, check if the documents were "text-only" entries (which have no PDF to download).

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