Reduce your PDF file size in Acrobat XI

 Jan 19, 2015

If you have an overly large PDF, there are two ways you can easily reduce the file size: ‘Reduced Size PDF’ and ‘Optimised PDF.’ I’ll discuss both these methods in today’s blog post.

Reduced Size PDF

There are 3 key reasons for using this method:
  1. You want to make your PDF smaller.
  2. You will not need to print it at high resolution.
  3. You do not want to fiddle with numerous options.
Follow these steps to quickly and easily reduce your PDF for online distribution. Firstly, navigate to your File menu, click on ‘Save As Other’ and select ‘Reduced Size PDF.’ Reduce your PDF file size in Acrobat XI

To ensure access to all intended readers, select a compatible version. The newer the version, the better the compression or file size reduction. Make sure everyone will have access to at least the chosen version or newer. Reduce your PDF file size in Acrobat XI

Click OK to save your current PDF in a reduced size copy or click Apply to Multiple to reduce several files. Reduce your PDF file size in Acrobat XI

Optimised PDF

The 2 key reasons for using this method would be because:
  1. You need to reduce the file size of your PDF.
  2. You need control over quality levels and what will be kept and removed.

Follow these steps to reduce your PDF with more reduction options. Firstly, navigate to your File menu, click on ‘Save As Other’ and select ‘Optimised PDF.’ Reduce your PDF file size in Acrobat XI

Click Audit Space Usage, located in the top right corner, to see what is creating the most file size in your PDF. Reduce your PDF file size in Acrobat XI

Next, select a setting preference as a start point. Reduce your PDF file size in Acrobat XI

To modify settings, on the left side of the dialogue box, click on the name of the area. Now make changes on the right as needed to the following options: images, fonts, transparency, discard objects, discard user data, and clean up.

After modifying, ensure all check boxes next to the settings you require are ticked. Save your changes as a setting for future reductions. Reduce your PDF file size in Acrobat XI

Click OK to save your newly optimised PDF. Reduce your PDF file size in Acrobat XI Until next time, I hope this helps you tame your monster sized PDFs.

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About the Author:

Katherine Davis  

With over 15 years of experience, Kate is one of New Horizons most knowledgeable and skilled Desktop Applications and Graphic Design trainers. She approaches each training event with an understanding of the student’s perspective and with their learning goals in mind. Her extensive knowledge and dynamic training style enables her to engage users of all varying skills levels and ensure that each student’s learning goals are achieved. Kate is especially well known around the New Horizons office for her creative flair and talent in using the Adobe suite. She takes a genuine satisfaction from helping students solve issues and always makes an extra effort to ensure that students have an enjoyable learning experience.

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