How to compress a PDF before submitting an assignment

1. Check the actual portal limit

Read the limit set by your portal or lecturer. It varies by institution and assignment; do not assume every portal uses 1 MB. Note the original size for comparison.

2. Keep the original PDF

Make a copy first, especially for technical drawings or detailed images. The input limit is 20 MB and 300 pages.

3. Choose a target or quality

Open Compress PDF, add the file and choose an available size target. Manual settings let you choose JPEG quality and image dimensions. A target size is not guaranteed.

4. Run compression

The tool optimizes PDF structure and supported images. Text and vectors are not flattened into pictures. Some images or formats may be skipped, and an already optimized PDF may barely shrink.

5. Compare size and clarity

Read the original/output sizes and image report. Zoom in on tables, graphs, formulas and small text. Use gentler compression if important details become unclear. The original is kept if the result would be larger.

6. Check the download

Reopen the output and confirm every page is present. If it still exceeds the portal limit, revisit large images in the source or ask your lecturer about submission options. Do not remove required assignment content just to meet a size target.

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