How to Compress PDFs in Adobe Acrobat: Step-by-Step Guide

Whether you're trying to make your files smaller so they take up less space or reduce the load time of the document, compressing PDF files can be a great solution. If you're looking for a way to compress PDFs in Adobe Acrobat, look no further than this guide.

In this article, we'll explore how to compress a PDF in Adobe Acrobat with minimal effort on your part. We also cover how to do it manually and how to do it automatically.

How to Compress PDF File using Adobe Acrobat

If you want to compress PDF files, it's not hard to do with Adobe Acrobat. Here's how:

1. Open the "Optimize PDF" Tool in Adobe Acrobat

To reduce the size of a PDF file, open the reduce file size tool in the "Optimize PDF" dialog box. The tool can be accessed from the "Tools" center, and select "Open" from the drop-down menu.

2. Select "Reduce File Size" in the Top Menu

Now simply select the PDF file you downloaded or another PDF document you want to compress and click on the "Open" option.

This is the simplest step to make. The menu is available at the top of the tool. You need to click the menu.

3. How Can I Compress the File Size

When you open the "Reduce File Size" dialog box, choose "File Version Compatibility" from the drop-down menu. You can also keep the default setting of Retain existing. Then proceed to simply click on the "OK" button.

4. Rename and Save Your File

When you have finished optimizing the file, click "Save". By keeping the same file name, you overwrite the original PDF with an optimized PDF; if you select a new name or location, you create a new file that is optimized from the original.

Also Read: How to Reduce PDF Size? (5 Best and Powerful Ways)

How to Use Acrobat Online PDF Compressor

Acrobat Online PDF Compressor is a useful tool that allows you to compress your PDF files into smaller sizes. This will allow you to save space on your computer and email servers so that your documents can be sent more easily.

To use Acrobat Online PDF Compressor, follow these steps:

1) Go to Adobe Online PDF Compressor tool to access the online PDF compressor tool.

2) Click on "Select a File". Alternatively, drag and drop files into the drop zone.

3) Select the file that you wish to compress on the opened file explorer. Acrobat automatically reduces the PDF size after it is uploaded.

4) Enter a name for your new file (to rename) under "Filename" and choose whether or not you want to save it in another location under "Save as Location."

If you choose this option, select where on your computer you would like the file saved by selecting one of the dropdown menus next to "Save as location."

Too Expensive? Notable Disadvantages of Using the Adobe Compress Tool

There are some notable disadvantages to using Adobe Acrobat to reduce file size. These are:

• The first is that you need to have a subscription, which can be expensive. Adobe Acrobat Standard version costs users US$155.88 per year and Adobe Acrobat Pro version costs US$239.88 per year.
• The second is that the standard program is only available for Windows computers, so Mac users will have to upgrade to the Pro version.
• The third is that it can take a long time for users to learn how to use the program effectively. The user interface is complicated for beginners.
• Finally, there is an increased risk of losing important data when using this software because it compresses everything in its path.

So these are the risks of using the Adobe compression method for resizing PDF files. There are more and more users opting for a better Adobe Acrobat alternative to use the same feature but with a reasonable price.

Also Read: How to Reduce Scanned PDF File Size? (2 Ways)

The Best Compressor Alternative to Adobe Acrobat

If you have been looking for an alternative to Adobe Acrobat, then you may want to consider using UPDF. This program is a lightweight application that can be used on Mac, Windows, Android, and iOS operating systems. Download it for free.

Features

• It can add annotations to your PDFs. There are many tools to use, including sticky notes, text boxes, stamps, stickers, signatures, highlights, etc.
• It comes with text editing tools that allow you to change the text in any font, size, and color. It offers an easy way to add text, edit text, and remove unwanted content from your document.
• It provides several reading modes and you can open and read PDF documents easily.
• It helps you edit PDF pages, and you can rotate pages in PDF, insert new pages, extract specific pages, replace some pages, and remove unwanted pages.
• You can convert PDF into other 14 formats, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, CSV, Text, Image, HTML, PDF/A, and so on.
• It has an advanced OCR feature to recognize text in a scanned PDF document. It also has amazing AI features to help you translate, analyze, explain, and summarize PDFs in seconds!

How to Compress PDF Files without Acrobat

Compressing a PDF file with UPDF is a simple and straightforward process. Use the following simple steps to use compression to reduce the size of the PDF file;

Step 1: Download and Install UPDF

Download the app and then follow the instructions to install the program on your computer. Open UPDF after installation.

Step 2: Open the PDF File to Compress

On the main interface, you can import the PDF file to compress in one of two ways; you can click on the "Open File" button and browse your computer's files for the PDF or you can drag and drop the file into the main interface to open it.

Step 3: Compress the PDF File

With the document open, you should see a number of tools to help you manage all aspects of the document. On the right panel, click on the "Save as Other" icon and select "Reduce File Size..." in the options that appear.

This will open a dialogue box that will allow you to choose the level of compression you want to use and the size of the compressed file. It has different qualities you can select. It has "Maximum", "High", "Medium", and "Low". You can tap it and it will appear the reduced size.

Choose one according to your needs and then click "Save As" to compress the PDF.

This will save a new copy of the open PDF file in the new compressed format and you can now easily share the smaller file in whatever format you choose. You can also choose to print or share the file directly from UPDF.

Situations Where You Might Have to Compress PDF Files

You may need to use a PDF compressor if you want to make a large file smaller or reduce the size of an existing PDF file.

Your reasons might include:

• The file is too large and you want to email it to someone, but they don't have a lot of storage space on their computer.
• You're uploading the file to an online server, but there are restrictions on the maximum size allowed for uploads.
• You want to send a copy of your book manuscript or design sketches.

FAQs about Compress PDF with Adobe Acrobat

1. Can I Compress PDF Without Adobe Acrobat?

Although Adobe Acrobat is still one of the most popular tools that you can use to edit a PDF in various ways including compressing the PDF, it is possible to compress a PDF without Adobe Acrobat. As we have seen from the steps above UPDF is a cheaper and easier-to-use solution compared to Adobe Acrobat, not just in compressing PDFs, but also in editing, converting, and annotating PDFs.

2. How Much Do I Need to Pay for Compressing PDFs with Adobe?

The online version of Adobe Acrobat can allow you to compress a file for free. But like most online tools it can be limited in the number and size of PDF files that you can upload and compress. To remove all these limitations, you need to purchase the premium version of Adobe Acrobat which can be quite expensive with prices starting from US$239.88 per year. So we recommend a better choice for you - UPDF, a cost-effective PDF compressor and editor! It allows you to compress PDF files with 4 qualities (Maximum, High, Medium, and Low) that suit your needs.

3. Adobe Acrobat vs. UPDF; Which One is Better?

The biggest difference between Adobe Acrobat and UPDF is the overall cost of using the program. If you choose to purchase Acrobat, you may find that the total cost of using the program can be in excess of US$200 a year. This is compared to the US$39.99 that you'd pay to access UPDF for the same period. For US$69.99, UPDF will offer you a lifetime license. Get it now before the grand offer expires!

Anyone who has ever tried to use Adobe Acrobat for the first time knows just how hard it can be to find all the tools you need to compress the file or do something as simple as edit the content. In sharp contrast, UPDF is designed with simplicity in mind. The interface in UPDF is simple and minimalistic, allowing you to find all the tools you need very easily and compress or even edit the PDF in a matter of minutes, saving you a lot of time.  

UPDF also has a number of additional features that Adobe Acrobat doesn't have. For example, UPDF provides you with the ability to add stickers to a PDF. Stickers can be a great way to express how you feel about certain sections of the document and therefore effectively communicate with a team in a way that simple comments may not be able to. UPDF can also allow you to add Rich Text Format files to the document by simply dragging it onto any section of the PDF file, a feature you will not find when using Adobe Acrobat.

Quick Summary

Adobe Acrobat can be difficult to use and may therefore take too much of your time as you try to find the right tools to compress a PDF. UPDF takes a short time by simplifying the process and containing it in a user interface that is easily accessible and very easy to use. Compressing a PDF document with UPDF can be done in just a few simple steps. It also offers great quality in PDF editing, annotating, organizing, and advanced features like OCR. Download it now, and enrich your experience working on PDF!