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MargaretHuang
Participating Frequently
July 6, 2017
Answered

"Reduced Size PDF..." on fillable forms

  • July 6, 2017
  • 1 reply
  • 2843 views

I created some fillable forms using Adobe Acrobat Pro DC. The file size on these fillable forms increased a lot, comparing to the non-fillable forms as they were. I am exploring the possibility to reduce the file size, and discovered to use File -> Save as Other -> Reduced Size PDF. After I processed them through "Reduced Size PDF", the fillable forms size was reduced dramatically, such as reduced from 6MB to 2MB. When I tested the form, I don't see any problem, but I would like to know what have been removed/reduced on the form to make the size smaller.

I imagine the images on the form have been reduced in the resolution, but my eyes don't tell me anything different. What else?

Using "Optimized PDF..." does give me more options, but I like to know what "Reduced Size PDF..." really do behind the scene, and if it affect anything (I have buttons on these forms that uses JavaScript, but they appears working fine for now.)

Any help will be greatly appreciated!

Margaret

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer gkaiseril

If you edited the context of the form either before or after adding the form fields there would be the incremental saved changes within the PDF and the compression methods of images or text strings could have been changed to a more efficient compression method. It is also possible some elements may have been moved within the PDF structure to allow for a smaller size.

I would be careful as too many Save as uses could corrupt the PDF form.

It is a good idea to keep a copy of the the PDF before form fields have been added and compress that PDF. Then create a copy and add the form fields. After the form is finalized then replace the content or pages with saved copy of the PDF without form fields.

1 reply

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gkaiserilCorrect answer
Inspiring
July 6, 2017

If you edited the context of the form either before or after adding the form fields there would be the incremental saved changes within the PDF and the compression methods of images or text strings could have been changed to a more efficient compression method. It is also possible some elements may have been moved within the PDF structure to allow for a smaller size.

I would be careful as too many Save as uses could corrupt the PDF form.

It is a good idea to keep a copy of the the PDF before form fields have been added and compress that PDF. Then create a copy and add the form fields. After the form is finalized then replace the content or pages with saved copy of the PDF without form fields.

M
MargaretHuangAuthor
Participating Frequently
July 6, 2017

Thank you so much for your help! 

How do you do this "After the form is finalized then replace the content or pages with saved copy of the PDF without form fields."? Would you give a reference?

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