Compression refers to reducing the size of the file. You might be dealing with a problem of storage on your computer. When you compress a file, you reduce your file size and make more storage available in your computer system. This is a cost-effective step that everyone should follow because buying more storage can cost you more than keeping it in a compressed form. In this article, you will get an answer about how can I compress a PDF?
What are the primary types of data compression?
Compression can be mainly of two types
- File compression
- Media compression
Under file, compression is used to compress all types of data into a compressed archive. When your data is in an archive form, you will require to decompress it with a decompression utility or tool if you want to view it. Once you decompress the archive file, you will be able to access the original.
Media compression is a type that is used to compress images, audio, video files. Compression of the media file may include compressing of files with jpg, MPEG, mp3 extensions. Some of the media players can load directly without decompressing it.
However, a PDF file being the mixture of all those things that can be a document or a media file, can also be compressed.
What is Lossless and lossy compression?
Like file compression and media compression, lossy compression and lossless compression are also two types or different conditions of compression.
Lossy compression can remove some of your file’s original data for reducing the size of your file. This might be compromising with the colors of the image used in the document, reducing the samples in an audio, or any other copy data. This may lead to a small loss in the data. Once the file is compressed by using a lossy condition, it is impossible to bring the old data back. For example, imagine you packing a suitcase, and in the way of managing space, you cut one leg of your jeans, it cannot be back in an original way ever.
Lossless compression doesn’t compromise with reducing the quality of your file at all. So whenever you compress a document with lossless compression, you can get the complete data intact when you decompress it to the original file. For example, imagine you are packing a suitcase, and you fold your clothes in a way that they can find a space in your suitcase, and you will get them back to normal when you unpack the suitcase.
Advantages of compressing PDF
Conversion of your documents into PDF is a way of protecting your important data from getting it edited and unauthorized viewing. But what if your PDF file is to heavy to handle? Don’t you require some less space-consuming files in your storage? Let us go through some benefits of compressing your PDF:-
Speeding up your emails: by reducing the size of your PDF, you can make faster emailing. This is because after the file gets compressed, you reduce your file size, and reduced size will lead to fastening up of uploading and speeding of email.
Reduce the storage: by compressing your files, you can reduce the file size, and reducing the size will lead to increased storage space in your device. By increasing the storage space, you are saving a lot of money from your budget, as getting new devices for storage will cost you a considerable amount.
Easily searchable text: searching for some specific content would not take your much time. This is because you can search for texts using OCR. This means you can search for portions in a PDF, and it is more user friendly.
Less server load: by compressing a file before sending it, you are reducing the size of your file, and also you are reducing the server load. Files with small size means less load on the server. So by compressing, you automatically help your server to work faster.
Archiving documents: you can also compress the files and convert them into Archive mode by which you can put that files for lesser space, which are not useful for you in the near future.
Data retention: the most considerable benefit of compressing a PDF is that you can get all your data retained, means compressing a PDF will not at all reduce any of your data, and all your data can be retained, and you can decompress data whenever you want.
How can I compress a PDF?
The most obvious question after reading all this information that strikes in one’s mind is, how can I compress a PDF? To answer this, follow the instructions mentioned below:-
- For reducing the size of your PDF file, open the Optimizing pdf tool in your device. You can search for this tool in your run option. Once you found it open the tool.
- Once you have that tool, you can select the file you want to compress. {in your case, you can choose the PDF file you wish to compress}
- Now you need to choose the reduce file size in the top menu.
- Set the compatibility of your file as per your requirement, and select ok.
- Once you are done with the above process, your file is compressed, and you can now save it. You can also rename it if you want too.
By this, you are done with compressing your PDF in an offline method. But you can also do the same by an online method.
For compressing your PDF file online search for how can I compress a pdf? On your browser, and you will get multiple results displayed on your screen. Choose anyone you feel is safe to process, and further, you just have to upload the file you want to compress and compress it in a single click.
By this time, you are aware about the benefits and the process of compression. It is also clear to you what the different types of compression are and how you can select the best compression method for you.
So start compressing and save your space and money!
