Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

pdf compression

Sep 2, 2015 8:33AM PDT

Hello. I use Word 2010. I can save my Word docs as pdfs. But the resulting files are over 400K. The files I upload must be no larger than 300K. How can I compress mine to make them come in under this limit. I am looking for safe, free compression tools. Thanks.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Clarification Request
Tell how you are making thes PDFs today.
Sep 2, 2015 8:41AM PDT
- Collapse -
maybe, but . . .
Sep 3, 2015 5:05PM PDT

I really don't want to download any new software. I record music on this computer and I like to keep it light. Could 7zip be a solution? I tried it once unsuccessfully.

- Collapse -
Most PDFs are compressed already.
Sep 3, 2015 5:12PM PDT

Since I don't know what PDF software you use or settings, I fast forwarded to how I solved this and how I did so safely.

- Collapse -
More info . . .
Sep 3, 2015 6:35PM PDT

I am using Word 2010. You can "save as" and the Word doc will be saved as a pdf. Resulting files are large--like 450 KB. And that' only a one-page doc. All of the pdfs I upload, some of which will have over 10 pages, have to come in under 300 KB. I thank you for the software suggestion, but I would rather work with 7zip if it will get the job done.

- Collapse -
Best of luck.
Sep 4, 2015 7:50AM PDT

It appears you don't want to try it other ways. Good luck. I see folk have noted DPI and other apps so it's now your choice to solve or not.

I'm not telling you off here. It's your choice to try or not.

- Collapse -
Well,
Sep 4, 2015 8:34AM PDT

this is as direct as I've ever heard you on here. Shocked

Who says I didn't want to try other ways? I was trying to find the safest way. Unfortunately, 7zip, which I already had installed, didn't work.

Some posters included technical info about converting to other formats that wasn't applicable to my situation.

In the end, I download cutepdf. It is easy to use and really compresses the files--perhaps too much. At any rate, it gave me what I was looking for.

Thanks as always.

- Collapse -
Glad it worked out.
Sep 4, 2015 8:46AM PDT

I can't rewrite replies too much. Sometimes I just have to make it plain that I think we have reached the end.

In this case you tried CutePDF and it looks solved.

- Collapse -
Answer
Re: pdf
Sep 2, 2015 8:42AM PDT

Try using cutepdf (free download) in stead of the built in "save as" in Word. it certainly makes a difference, but I can't tell which way and how much.

And try the various modes of 7zip (free download also).

Kees

- Collapse -
7zip not working
Sep 3, 2015 5:04PM PDT

I tried to compress with 7zip. Created a zipped folder with a pdf in it. But the pdf was the same size as it originally was--like 400 KB. Do you have specific instructions or a source? Thanks.

- Collapse -
Answer
are you able
Sep 3, 2015 5:10PM PDT

in the software to change the image format for saving to pdf from a bmp to a jpg or png type file? That will save you a lot where images are also included.

- Collapse -
I might, but . . .
Sep 3, 2015 6:33PM PDT

They require you to upload pdfs.

- Collapse -
yes, but image compression first
Sep 3, 2015 7:16PM PDT

before using in a document that will then be made into a pdf will cut down on size a lot.

Here's three image files of exactly the same thing. First is bmp, will have to view it in Paint probably. The second is a png and the last is the smallest in data size, it's a jpg type.

3.1 MB in size, it's the default for windows use, a bmp file.
http://glenburniemd.net/CNET/windows10ActivatedOffline.bmp

507 KB in size, a PNG type image file.
http://glenburniemd.net/CNET/windows10ActivatedOffline.png

115 KB in size, it's a jpg file.
http://glenburniemd.net/CNET/windows10ActivatedOffline.jpg

So, convert images to jpg, use about 80-85% quality, and then import into your documents and later when they become a pdf, the pdf file will be smaller.

and here's one that is a jpg of the above that was even more compressed to 60% of it's original data, coming in at 81 KB.
http://glenburniemd.net/CNET/windows10ActivatedOffline-2.jpg

- Collapse -
Answer
7 zip is compressing . . .
Sep 3, 2015 6:46PM PDT

Howbeit barely. It looks like I'm going to have to try that program.

- Collapse -
Answer
Safe link for cute?
Sep 3, 2015 6:50PM PDT
- Collapse -
Answer
Re: compression
Sep 4, 2015 1:39AM PDT

A one page Word doc with only text certainly is no 300 K. So it's the content that's big. The only way to solve this is to make the content smaller by lowering the quality or reducing the size. If it's a picture, try Irfanview (free). If it's audio re-record on a lesser bit-rate. If it's a video, make it a link to Youtube.

Kees

- Collapse -
Answer
Is the 300K limit
Sep 4, 2015 6:31AM PDT

because you want to email the docs? Not sure how much file size you would gain with using a Zip program to compress the file. TXT files can really compress but not sure of Adobe PDF's.

- Collapse -
Answer
Wanna try?
Sep 7, 2015 3:50AM PDT

Hello,

Try to download PDF Compressor.
It will allows you to compress PDF files, reduce pdf file size easily and quickly.

Have a great day!