◆ Acrobat · compress

Compress File Package

Compress the 200 MB construction file package for [project=Project 901] and save a reduced PDF package under [size=25 …

2ready prompts
1real task
3roles
See the prompt↓More compress workflows

When to use it

real situations

AI prompts

2 ways to ask · copy any one
AExecute — “help me do it”Compress the 200 MB construction file package for [project=Project 901] and save a reduced PDF…+
Compress the 200 MB construction file package for [project=Project 901] and save a reduced PDF package under [size=25 MB] to the shared [folder=office network folder] for colleagues to download.
when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed.
BImprove — “do it better”Compress [project=Project 901] materials so reviewers don't lose page fidelity: downsample…+
Compress [project=Project 901] materials so reviewers don't lose page fidelity: downsample high-resolution photos only, keep vector drawings at full quality, and produce both a reduced-size PDF under [size=25 MB] and an index page listing what was compressed and where originals are archived on the [server].
when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed.

How to do it

the tool · the steps · what to avoid
  1. 1

    Open your PDF file in Adobe Acrobat.

  2. 2

    Go to the File menu and select Save As Other.

  3. 3

    Choose Reduced Size PDF from the submenu.

  4. 4

    Select the desired compatibility option in the dialog that appears.

    CautionChoosing a lower compatibility may prevent older PDF viewers from opening the file.

  5. 5

    Click OK to proceed.

  6. 6

    Enter a new file name and location if prompted, then click Save.

    Best practiceFor best results, always save the reduced file as a new copy to preserve your original PDF.

You can quickly reduce the file size of your PDF using the 'Save as Other' option in the File menu.

This runs in the Acrobat app - there is no separate API for this task.

Glossary

words on this page
CompressionMaking a file smaller by removing some data, often from images.ExampleApplying image compression reduced the photo's file size without losing too much quality.
DPIDPI means dots per inch, and it tells you how clear an image is when it is scanned.ExampleA scanned photo saved at 300 DPI will usually contain more detail than the same photo at 72 DPI.
Original FileThe first, uncompressed version of your document.ExampleThe original file of your photo project is very large before it's compressed for web use.

The real tasks

the one, listed here
Compress large construction file packages so colleagues can download them from the office network.

Who does this

3 roles
Office AdministratorLegal AssistantProject Manager

FAQ

about this task
  1. Open your PDF in Acrobat.
  2. Go to the Menu and pick 'Save as Other'.
  3. Select 'Reduced size PDF'.
  4. Pick your compression level and save.

Compression means making your PDF file smaller by removing extra data, mostly from images. This matters because smaller files are easier to email, upload, and store. But if you use too much compression, your images can look bad, especially when printing.

Yes, if your scan is blurry, using higher compression can make it even harder to read because it lowers image quality more. Try to use Low (High Quality) compression, or fix the scan before compressing.

  • Each time you compress, image quality drops more.
  • Text stays the same, but pictures get worse.
  • Starting from the original keeps the best quality possible.
Low (High Quality)High
Keeps images close to original qualityReduces image quality to 72-100 dpi
File size is smaller, but not the smallestFile size is much smaller
Best for printing and sharingBest only for email or web, not for print

Sources

where this comes from

Adobe help

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