An upload form asks for a smaller PDF. Before compressing it, check whether the document is a scan or a PDF with selectable text. The right approach depends on what the receiving service needs to read.
Check whether this method fits
BrowserFiles makes scanned PDFs smaller by rebuilding each page as an image. Text will no longer be searchable or selectable, and links, forms and bookmarks are removed. A text PDF may even get larger.
Use this approach for scans or photos of paper when the receiving form accepts an image-based PDF. Keep the original if the service needs selectable text, editable fields or signatures. BrowserFiles does not rebuild password-protected, fillable or signed PDFs.
Prepare the file
- Read the receiving form's file type and size requirements. If you can export a smaller PDF from the app that created it, try that first.
- Open Compress PDFs in BrowserFiles. The page shows its current file limits before you choose anything.
- Choose the scanned PDF. Preview a page before and after compression, and check that small print and important numbers remain readable.
- Download the result if a smaller file is offered. Check its actual size against the receiving form's limit.
- Keep your original. A smaller file does not guarantee that a particular form will accept it; check the uploaded document in that service too.
Keep control of the document
The compressor reads and rebuilds PDFs in your browser tab. File bytes are not uploaded or written to a server. Use Clear all when you have finished; the tool's data-boundary notice explains what remains in local history.
Open the PDF compressor or read the BrowserFiles privacy notice.