How to reduce a PDF's size to upload it to an online form or portal
Many government portals, application forms and job sites limit the size of each file you attach. If your PDF is over the limit, you can't continue. Here's how to shrink it in a minute, for free and without the document ever leaving your computer.
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Check the upload limit
The maximum size depends on the website and the form, and it's usually shown next to the upload button (for example, 2, 5 or 10 MB per file). Note it down before you start.
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Compress the PDF
- Open Compress PDF and select your document.
- The tool estimates the size of the result. Start with the Recommended compression.
- If it's still too big, move the slider until the estimated size is below the limit, with some margin.
- Click Compress PDF and download the result.
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Check the result before uploading it
Open the compressed PDF and make sure it's easy to read, especially numbers and small print. If it isn't, compress the original again with a less aggressive level.
If it's still too big
- Split it into several files: many forms let you attach more than one. With Split PDF you can separate it into parts.
- Remove unnecessary pages (covers, blank pages) with Extract Pages.
Before compressing, keep in mind
- Digitally signed documents: compressing changes the file, so the signature is no longer valid. Upload signed documents exactly as you received them, or sign them after compressing.
- Selectable text: to reduce the size, compression turns pages into images, so the text can no longer be selected or searched. For most forms this doesn't matter.
Your document never leaves your device: JapalTools processes it in your own browser and never uploads it to any server, which matters when it contains personal or tax data.