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We all have been using PDFs for several reasons, and while they are convenient to work on, sometimes the large PDF can cause issues with file transfer and corruption. Also, you’re offered limited options for batch processing or automating repetitive tasks.
In such a scenario, arguably, the best way to address issues caused by large PDFs is by compressing them. While it might sound complicated, with the enhancement of PDF tools and software, it can be done in a few steps.
If you’re working on downsizing PDF without losing quality for the first time, it can be tricky, and we are going to ease it for you by offering approaches curated according to the platform with detailed steps for each.
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Unfortunately, Windows doesn’t feature a tool that can help you compress PDF into smaller size. However, considering most Windows users arguably use Microsoft 365 or Office, it can be used to make a PDF smaller.
Note: While the below steps are a great way to shrink the size of PDF, this approach is more like converting a Word to a PDF file. We have suggested this as a built-in alternative for those who don’t want to install any application.
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Most developers arguably prefer Windows and Linux for developing projects. Hence, you might notice open-source software being available for various purposes. If you’re looking specifically for PDF compression with no restrictions, check out the below steps:
While open-source tools are arguably the best, many won’t consider them for their lack of intuitive interface and complexity while installing and setting them up. If you feel the same with PDFShrinker, consider checking out the steps below for compressing PDF using the prominent Adobe Acrobat Pro DC.
Unlike Windows, MacOS offers a built-in tool to manually reduce the size of a PDF through Preview, and it is exceptionally easy and reliable. If you’re a MacOS and want to compress PDF into smaller size, here are the steps below:
Unfortunately, we couldn’t find any open-source software to compress PDFs on Mac. For this, we have tried several free third-party software and here are steps on how to use PDF Size reducer Lightweight PDF:
Note: We have selected Lightweight PDF for ease of use, but if you’ve any other free software up on your mind, ensure you check the reviews and ratings before downloading.
If you’ve already tried compressing PDFs with Preview and found its interface or functionality somewhat complex, you might have considered Lightweight PDF as a simpler alternative.
While Lightweight PDF is indeed user-friendly and straightforward, it’s crucial to remember that its simplicity may limit your flexibility in compression options. In such cases, turning to more comprehensive Mac PDF editors is advisable.
However, considering the higher costs of Adobe Suite on Mac, PDF Expert emerges as a cost-effective alternative, and below are the steps to compress PDFs using PDF Expert efficiently:
Note: Before checking out PDF Expert, it’s worth noting that if you’re using Adobe Acrobat Pro DC on Windows, the same steps apply to its Mac version for compressing PDFs.
Considering most people arguably use Windows and MacOS, those on other platforms might not have access to these tools. However, irrespective of the platform you’re using, all have web browsers in common.
Hence, we have included online PDF editor tools, and after checking arguably the prominent ones, here are our best picks, along with steps for each on how to compress a PDF:
Like Windows and iOS, you have multiple choices for PDF Compressors on Android and iOS on the respective application stores.
While it’s true that most of these apps deliver on their promises without offering anything particularly new, we’ve searched for an app that stands out in terms of cross-platform compatibility and has led us to iLovePDF.
Note: Even though the iLovePDF app has the same interface on both Android and iOS, there might be minor changes. Hence, consider the steps below as generic and use them for both platforms.
We hope that the tools and software listed according to the platform with detailed steps have got you completely covered and you were able to compress a PDF with ease.
While none of the approaches affect the original PDF file, and a separate compressed PDF is created, make a backup if you’re worried about the original file and don’t want to make any modifications to it.
How do I check my PDF file size?
There are multiple ways to check the PDF file size. However, the easiest would be navigating to the PDF on File Explorer and placing the cursor on it to reveal the file size.
How do I compress a PDF without losing quality?
While all the above approaches focus on compressing PDF without losing quality, it is inevitable. However, you make the quality loss insignificant and negligible by adding fewer images to the PDF.
What’s the difference between compression and flattening?
PDF compression reduces file size by compressing data and maintaining the document’s structure. Flattening, on the other hand, merges layers into a single image, potentially reducing editing capabilities.
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