PDF is an immensely popular document format globally. However, the more content-rich it is with graphics and images, the larger its file size gets. And with various email platforms imposing a limit on the size of PDFs you can send, downsizing your PDF file is the best way to resolve this.
Luckily, there are several ways to reduce a PDF's size. You can do this through Adobe Acrobat, free online PDF compression tools, PDFelement on PC or mobile phones, and more. Learn how to downsize your PDF files with these quick and simple methods below.
If you're using Adobe Acrobat, checking your PDF's file size is easy. Click on File on the top left corner of your screen, then go to Properties. There, you can see many details about your document, including the file size.
Alternatively, you can go to the folder that contains your document, right-click on it, then click on Properties.
After determining the size of your PDF and seeing that it is indeed large, you might find it difficult to share electronically. Now, the best way to deal with it is to reduce its size. Here are six easy methods to downsize pdf files.
To convert a document to PDF format, you need to use the Save As option. Here's how you can reduce your PDF's size in Word:
Step 1 Open the DOC document you want to convert to PDF.
Step 2 Click on the File tab, then Save As.
Step 3 In the Save as type selection, choose PDF. Then at the bottom of the dialog box, you will find an Optimize for option. Select Minimum size (publishing online).
Step 4 Lastly, click on the Save button.
Note: In some versions of Microsoft Word, you can find the Optimum for option in the Export menu.
This method may not be available in newer Microsoft Word versions. If you cannot find this option and the size of your PDF is still too large, there are still other ways to downsize your PDF.
Images or scanned documents are usually large, so they can be very time-consuming and difficult to share online. Fortunately, there's a way to downsize a scanned PDF without sacrificing its original quality. With Wondershare PDFelement - PDF Editor, you can easily reduce the size of your scanned PDF. Just follow these quick steps below:
Step 1 To import the scanned PDF file/s you want to work on, simply launch PDFelement and click the Open File button. Then select the files from your local folder and click Open to upload.
Step 2 Click the Tools tab from the upper menu of the program, then select Optimize PDF. Now, you can save the file in different sizes by selecting custom compression settings. Click Apply to start compressing your PDF.
You can also downsize PDF files online for free. Here are a few popular PDF compression tools available online, how they work, their pros, and their cons:
The following steps introduce how to use Online2PDF converter:
Step 1 Open the tool on your browser.
Step 2 Click the Select files button and select the file/s you want to reduce (you can also drag and drop them).
Step 3 Choose the Quality, Resolution, and Color you prefer. The lower the quality and resolution, the smaller the file size. You can also view and protect your file, define its header and footer, and modify its layout.
Step 4 Click Convert. Your file/s will then automatically download.
You can directly change the color of your PDF to black and white (grayscale).
It allows you to protect your file with its security options.
You can define a header and a footer for your file.
Not so a user-friendly interface.
It doesn't automatically show the new file size of your PDF.
Here's how to downsize your PDF with iLovePDF compression tool:
Step 2 Click the Select PDF file button and select the file/s you want to reduce.
Step 3 On the right side of the screen, click on the Compression Level you prefer.
Step 4 Click the Compress PDF button. Your file/s will then automatically download.
It has a user-friendly interface.
It's easy to navigate.
It automatically shows the new file size of your PDF, so you don't have to check it through your folder anymore.
It doesn't offer other editing features, unlike other PDF compression tools.
It doesn't further state the specifications of each compression level.
Here are the steps on how to use AvePDF compression tool:
Step 2 Click the Choose File button and select the file you want to work on. You can also upload it from Google Drive, DropBox, or by web address (URL).
Step 3 Choose the compression level you prefer by clicking on the options provided.
Step 4 Click the COMPRESS button to download your downsized PDF.
It automatically shows the new file size of your PDF, so you don't have to check it through your Folder anymore.
Here are the simple steps on how to reduce the size of a PDF file using Adobe Acrobat:
Note: This method only works in the latest Adobe Acrobat version.
Step 1 Launch Adobe Acrobat on your computer. Go to File and click Open. Click on the PDF document you want to optimize.
Step 2 Now that your PDF is open, click the File button again and select Save as Other, then choose the Reduced Size PDF… option.
Step 3 A dialog box will then pop up. Click on the Make compatible with menu and select the Adobe Acrobat version compatible with your PDF's features. The later version you choose, the greater your file size will be reduced.
Note: If you have embedded videos in your PDF file, we recommend you use the most recent Acrobat version.
Step 4 Rename your file in the Save As section and click Save.
Tip: There's another method to downsize your pdf with Adobe Acrobat: their optimization tool. Click here to know how.
Reducing your PDF size with Adobe Acrobat is quick and easy; however, it will also reduce the image quality and remove digital signatures (if there are any) in your PDF. If you don't want this to happen and wish for better control over compressing your PDF file size, there's an alternative way to do this. With Wondershare PDFelement, you can easily compress your PDF without sacrificing its quality.
Below is a step-by-step guide on how to downsize PDF files using PDFelement:
Step 1 Launch PDFelement and open the PDF file you want to downsize. At the top of the screen, go to the Tool button, then click Compress.
Step 2 Select the compression ratio you prefer. The higher the compression ratio you choose, the smaller the file size will be. Then click Apply.
Step 3 Your file will then be instantly compressed. PDFelement directly shows on the screen how much your PDF file was reduced and its new file size.
PDFelement's Other Features:
Aside from its capacity to compress PDF files, PDFelement also offers a lot of other PDF editing features.
PDFelement's Advantages
PDFelement is a flexible PDF size reducer. You can easily optimize large files without a size limit. It also features a user-friendly interface that makes it perfect for professionals and beginners. Furthermore, it also offers a lot of advanced features to ensure you have the best and easy-to-use PDF tools at your fingertips – anywhere, anytime. That's why with Wondershare PDFelement, you can definitely do more.
The best thing about PDFelement is that you can also easily install and use it on your phone. Reducing your PDF's file size has never been easier with Wondershare PDFelement.
Step 1 Launch the PDFelement app on your phone and select the PDF file you want to optimize.
Step 2 Once the file is opened, you will see a three-dot icon on the top right corner of your screen. Tap on it and you will find the Reduce File Size option down the line. Tap on it to see your options for optimization.
Step 3 Save your PDF file according to the quality you prefer. The selection ranges from maximum to lowest quality.
PDFelement mobile solutions support iOS and Android. Free Download or Buy PDFelementnow!
Pros of Using PDFelement:
Enjoy extensive Cloud storage with Wondershare Document Cloud. It allows you to access your files from any device - anytime, anywhere.
Conclusion
Having a compressed and optimized PDF file makes it easier to share online. It also results in a shorter uploading and downloading time. It's a good thing that there are several ways to reduce the size of a PDF, and most of them are quick and easy.
But among the methods discussed above, one stood out because of its user-friendly interface, the countless advanced features it offers, the cloud storage services it provides, and the easy-to-use multi-platform PDF solution it supports. So whenever you're having trouble with your large-sized PDF files, don't hesitate to use Wondershare PDFelement – the ultimate All-in-One PDF Solution.
