How to reduce the size of a pdf

However, it is important to remember that compressing a PDF may result in loss of image or text quality. Therefore, it is always advisable to test on a copy of the original document to ensure that the final result is acceptable.

Reducing size by modifying image quality

Another option for reducing PDF size is to modify the image quality. This technique works well if the PDF contains many high-resolution images that take up a lot of space.

In general, high-resolution images are those with a pixel density greater than 300 dpi (dots per inch). Reducing the pixel density of images can help reduce file size without compromising too much on image quality.

How to modify image quality in a PDF

To modify the image quality in a PDF, you need to use PDF editing software. Here are the steps to follow:

• Open the PDF in the PDF editing software.
• Find the image you want to modify and select it.
• Right-click on the image and choose "Properties" or "Edit Image".
• In the properties or edit dialog box, find the "Resolution" or "Pixel Density" option.
• Reduce the resolution or pixel density to a value lower than 300 dpi.
• Save the changes and check that the image is still acceptable in terms of quality.

Note that reducing pixel density can compromise image quality if done excessively. It is advisable to test different settings to find the right balance between file size and image quality.

Furthermore, this technique works best with color or grayscale images. If the PDF contains only black and white images, reducing pixel density may not have a significant impact on file size.

Eliminating unnecessary images

Images can take up a lot of space in a PDF file. If your goal is to reduce file size, you may consider eliminating those that are not necessary.

Before deleting any image, however, it is important to ensure that it is not essential for the content of the document. For example, if you are working on a visual report or presentation, images may be crucial for understanding the message.

If you have decided to proceed with eliminating unnecessary images, here's how:

1. Open the PDF file in Adobe Acrobat Pro.
2. Click on the "Tools" button in the right-hand sidebar.
3. Select "Edit PDF" and then "Images".

• Choose the image you want to delete and click on the thumbnail to select it.
• Press the "Delete" button on your keyboard or click the "Delete" button in the toolbar.
• Repeat these steps for all images you want to delete.
• Save the modified document by clicking on "File" and then "Save".

Remember that deleting images can significantly impact the understanding of the content in your document. Always make sure to carefully review the file before proceeding with image deletion.

Conversion to a different format to reduce file size.

Another effective way to reduce the size of a PDF is by converting it to a different format. There are many formats available that can be used to convert your PDF, but the most common ones are:

• JPG: if your PDF contains only images or few texts, you can convert it to JPG to drastically reduce the file size.
• DOCX: if your PDF mainly contains text, you can convert it to DOCX (the Microsoft Word format) and further compress the file.

To convert your PDF to one of these formats, there are several options available online or through downloadable software. Here's how to proceed with conversion to JPG or DOCX:

Conversion to JPG

1. Open your PDF with Adobe Acrobat Reader DC.
2. Click on "File" in the menu bar and select "Export to" > "Image" > "JPEG".
3. Choose the image quality: higher quality means larger file size.
4. Click on "Export" and choose a location to save the new JPG file.

Conversion to DOCX

1. Open your PDF with Adobe Acrobat Reader DC.
2. Click on "File" in the menu bar and select "Export to" > "Microsoft Word" > "Word Document".
3. Choose the version of Word you want to open the DOCX file in (if unsure, choose the latest version).
4. Click on "Export" and choose a location to save the new DOCX file.

After converting your PDF to JPG or DOCX, you can use additional online tools or software to further compress the file. This way, you can reduce the final file size without losing too much quality.

Conclusion

Reducing the size of a PDF can be very useful when sending documents via email or uploading them to online platforms. With these methods we have seen, you can easily compress your PDFs without compromising their quality. Always remember to test different methods to find the one that best suits your needs.