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You are here: Home / Mac / Reducing the Size of a PDF on Mac

Reducing the Size of a PDF on Mac

By Danny Maiorca 0 comments Last updated April 17, 2023

PDFs are useful file formats for several scenarios. You can use them to send and sign contracts, along with gaining access to important documents – such as instruction manuals. On top of that, you can use these files for saving Word documents and more.

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Sometimes, however, you might need to reduce the size of a PDF. Many websites have restrictions on the sizes you can upload, and you might also need to compress your files so that they fit in emails.

Reducing your PDF size is pretty simple on a Mac. Keep reading to find out how to do it.

Contents

  • How to Reduce the Size of a PDF on Mac
  • Are There Alternative Options?
  • Reducing PDF File Sizes on Your Mac: Convenient and Useful

How to Reduce the Size of a PDF on Mac

To reduce the size of a PDF on your Mac, your best option is to use the Preview app. The process shouldn’t take you too long, and you can follow the instructions below.

1. Double-click on the PDF file you want to open. Once you’ve done that, you’ll be able to access the Preview app.

2. In the toolbar at the top, go to File > Export.

File and Export in Preview on Mac Screenshot

3. Expand the menu next to Quartz Filter.

Quartz Filter Select Mac Screenshot

4. Select Reduce File Size.

Reduce File Size Mac Filter PDF Screenshot

Once you’re happy with your selection, hit the Save button. You might need to rename your PDF, depending on where you save it.

Are There Alternative Options?

In addition to reducing the size of a PDF file on your Mac, you have a number of other options. If you search online, you’ll find several PDF resizers – and for some of these, you can access several features for free.

Once you’ve dragged and dropped your PDF document, you can download a resized version. Some of the best PDF resizing tools you should consider checking out are:

  • Adobe Acrobat
  • SmallPDF
  • ILovePDF

You can also reduce your file sizes on your Mac by deleting pages that aren’t necessary. Open Preview, select the page you want to remove, and hit the backspace key. You should, however, not do this on legal documents if you need to refer to the full version later – or if you’re going to return a signed version.

Some PDF compressors have paid plans that’ll offer you access to a broad selection of extra features that you may find useful. Often, however, you’ll only need the free edition.

Reducing PDF File Sizes on Your Mac: Convenient and Useful

Reducing the size of a PDF won’t take you too long on your Mac. The easiest way to do so is by using the Preview app; you can opt to reduce the file size when exporting your document, and it’s also possible to delete pages if you don’t need them.

Besides using the Preview app, you can also use several online tools to reduce your PDF file sizes. Many of these are free to use and will help you meet your needs.

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Danny Maiorca

Danny has been a professional writer since graduating from university in 2016, but he’s been writing online for over a decade. He has been intrigued by Apple products ever since getting an iPod Shuffle in 2008 and particularly enjoys writing about iPhones and iPads. Danny prides himself on making complex topics easy to understand. In his spare time, he’s a keen photographer.

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Last Updated on April 17, 2023 by Mitch Bartlett