Sending large PDF files clogs up inboxes and may take forever to download. To fix this issue, you can first compress PDF. This article will explain how to make a PDF smaller on a Mac using Apple default programs and third-party tools.
Contents:
- What is PDF?
- Why reduce a PDF size on a Mac?
- How to check the size of a PDF file on a Mac
- How to compress a PDF on a Mac using Apple default tools
- Top apps for compressing PDFs on a Mac
Before we start
Disk Space Analyzer checks the storage usage on a Mac or any external storage and helps find what uses the most space. Download a free trial and find bulky content on your disk.
Disk Space Analyzer
What is PDF?
The PDF (Portable Document Format) is a popular format for files developed by Adobe that keeps the layout of the document, its fonts, images as well as other elements of a document, regardless of the software or device that is used to open it. One of the major benefits of PDFs is their compatibility with various operating systems, such as macOS, Windows, and mobile platforms.
To ensure that PDF files remain accessible and simple to share Users are often required to reduce the size of their files. This can be accomplished using the built-in tools available on Mac or third-party software as well as online compression service. Keep reading to learn different methods for reducing the size of PDF files without sacrificing their quality.
Why reduce a PDF size on a Mac?
Compressing your files has significant benefits that can save you time, improve user experience, and enable easier collaboration. Here are several reasons why you should decrease PDF size on Mac:
- Large files may not be sent properly as email attachments.
- They can take up significant storage space on your computer.
- They can be slow to open, edit, and save due to their size. The software has to load and process all the data in a large file which can reduce performance.
- Large files can be problematic to upload and share on websites and cloud services which often have file size limits.
By monitoring your file sizes and compressing or optimizing large files when needed, you can avoid these potential issues and keep your documents as compact as possible while maintaining quality.
How to check the size of a PDF file on a Mac
There are two ways to see the size of your PDF document on your Mac.
Using the shortcut:
- Locate the file on your Mac.
- Select the file and right-click on it.
- Click Get info in the context menu. Alternatively, you can press the Cmd+I keys to open the Information panel.
- The size of the file will be displayed in the “General” section at the top of the window.
Using Finder
- In the Finder, navigate to the location of your file.
- Select the file and the size will be displayed at the bottom of the Finder window, below the filename. The size is measured in kilobytes (KB), megabytes (MB) or gigabytes (GB) depending on the size of the file.
How to compress a PDF on a Mac using Apple default tools
Compressing PDF files on a Mac can be essential for saving storage space, especially when dealing with large documents. Fortunately, macOS provides built-in tools that make this process straightforward without the need for third-party software.
How to compress a PDF file with the View app
- Open the file with Preview. For this, right-click on the file and select Open with followed by Preview.
- Click on File in the menu bar and select Export from the dropdown menu.
- This will open a new dialog window. In the Quartz Filter, choose Reduce File Size. Be aware that this may reduce the quality of images and graphics within the PDF to achieve a smaller file size.
- Save the Compressed PDF. It will now be stored in the location you selected, with a reduced file size that takes up less disk space.
This method is quick and does not require any additional software. However, it’s important to note that this may significantly reduce the quality of images and graphics within the PDF.
For those who need to compress multiple PDFs or want more control over the quality of the compressed file, we recommend using third-party tools. Read on to learn more about them.
Top apps for compressing PDFs on Mac
PDF compression apps are essential tools that help reduce the size of large files without compromising quality. Here’s a look at some popular PDF compression apps for Mac:
Adobe Acrobat
Adobe Acrobat offers a full suite of PDF tools, including best-in-class compression software. It’s versatile, easy to use, and while it is a subscription-based service, it’s focused on professional use, making it a solid investment for businesses and individuals who frequently work with PDFs.
PDFelement for Mac
PDFelement leads with advanced PDF optimization features. It’s not just a compressor; it’s a highly capable PDF editor that caters to a wide range of document management needs.
Cisdem PDF Compressor
Cisdem PDF Compressor is designed to be a purpose-built tool that focuses on reducing PDF file sizes efficiently.
Conclusion
We’ve shown you how to reduce a PDF file size on a Mac. It’s up to you to choose Preview for basic compression needs or opt for third-party software for more advanced options. Note that this functionality not only saves space on your device but also ensures that large documents can be easily managed and distributed.
