Convert Google Docs to PDF With Smaller File Size
A large PDF is harder to email, slower to upload, and takes more storage. Converting a Google Doc to a smaller PDF file is mostly about what you put into the document before exporting, since Google's export engine does not offer a compression level setting.
Why Google Docs PDFs can be large
The most common reason a Google Docs PDF is larger than expected is high-resolution images. A document with ten embedded photos at full camera resolution can produce a PDF of 20 megabytes or more. The second reason is embedded fonts, particularly non-standard fonts that include a large character set.
Reducing image file size before export
Before exporting, resize images to the size at which they will actually be displayed in the document. A photo that appears at 3 inches wide does not need to be 4000 pixels wide. Resize images to roughly 1000 to 1200 pixels wide for typical document images. This alone typically reduces PDF file size by 50 to 80 percent for image-heavy documents.
Compressing the PDF after export
After exporting from the extension, run the resulting PDF through a compression tool like Smallpdf, PDF24, or ilovepdf. These tools can reduce file size by resampling images to a lower resolution and applying additional compression. For documents going to email, a target of under 5 MB is usually appropriate.
Font and content choices
Using standard Google Fonts rather than exotic custom fonts reduces the embedded font data in the PDF. Removing unused sections, large decorative headers, or complex backgrounds before export also reduces file size.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I reduce the size of a PDF exported from Google Docs?
Reduce image resolution in the Google Doc before exporting, or compress the exported PDF using a tool like Smallpdf or PDF24.
Why is my Google Docs PDF so large?
Large images are the most common cause. Check the images in your document and replace them with lower-resolution versions if the document does not need print-quality graphics.
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