Batch split multiple large files into smaller ones

[adwul62]

I need to split (a lot of) big PDFs into smaller pieces of max 80-90MB each.

So, like:

LargeFile.PDF  (500MB)

to

LargeFile1.PDF (90MB)

LargeFile2.PDF (90MB)

LargeFile3.PDF (90MB)

LargeFile4.PDF (90MB)

LargeFile5.PDF (90MB)

LargeFile6.PDF (50MB)

I am sure commercial software is available, but that is something I resort to when there are no other options.

Am talking about over 200 of such files, so, handling them one by one, exporting pages to separate files, etc. is too much of a workload.

Any suggestions?

Acrobat Pro 2017.

Thanks!

[try67]

This is not really possible. You can use the Action Wizard to split a document into smaller parts (using a script), but it can't know in advance how big each file is going to be (in terms of file-size). You can set it to split every X pages, or to X parts, etc.

It might be possible to do it in a trial-and-error way, ie split it in half, examine the file size of each new file, then if it's too big split it into three parts, etc. This is a complicated process, though.

[try67]

I forgot about the Apply To Multiple option in the Split Document command! That's probably the best way to do it.

[ls_rbls]

You don't need to handle them one by one.

What is wrong with the "Organize Pages" tool?

With the Organize Pages tool you can do more than just one PDF into smaller files using the "Split Multiple Files" feature. This feature also allows you to split the files by number of pages, file size, and top level bookmarks. 

Is your inquiry related to exploring these or similar  batch actions with  an Acrobat JavaScript plug-in or an Action Wizard script?

[JR Boulay · Accepted solution]

[JR Boulay]

[adwul62]

@JR_Boulay 

Wow!

Thank you very much indeed!

Truly appreciated.

Just gave it a try, see below.

Next the below steps, on the right the results.

Note that 50MB is the maximum, that is to say within Acrobat Pro 2017, maybe in DC the max is set higher.

Anyway, many thanks again!

[adwul62]

Sorry having to come back on this.

A related question: right now I have 'set' the file size each time. As you may have noticed from the above I am not an expert, far from that. On 1 point that is good: it allows me to ask dummy questions here.  🙂

Is there a way to create some kind of action / preset or something that would set this as a kind of default when splitting. I have to do quite some splitting-work.

It would be very very nice if I could r-click a file and have the option to split it then.

I could sort folders with largest file on top and then run the split on the largest files only.

Currently, when I r-click a few PDF files, there is an option to 'Combine Files'.

If it isn't possible, okay, so be it.

Thanks!

[JR Boulay]

You can apply this setting to "Multiple files" but the "Split" feature is not available in the Action Wizard (as "Extract").

This is what to give ideas of new (useful) functions to Acrobat developers.