If you have a PDF document that is too large to email, upload, or share, you can easily optimize its file size using the built-in compression features in the Shift PDF application. Follow the step-by-step instructions below to reduce your file sizes.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Open Shift: Launch the Shift application on your computer.

2. Access the PDF App: Click the PDF app icon in your sidebar layout. (Note: If you have not added the utility to your workspace yet, click here to add the PDF app directly to your Shift browser framework).

3. Open the Compressor Tool: Click on the Compress section from the app's left-hand navigation menu.

4. Upload Your PDF: Select your document using one of two methods:

   • Drag and drop the target PDF file directly into the highlighted workspace landing zone.

   • Click Choose a file to browse your computer's local directories and select your document.

5. Select Your Compression Level: Choose the balance between file size and image clarity that best matches your project requirements:

   • Low: Yields a larger file size, but maintains the absolute best visual text and image quality.

   • Medium: Delivers a balanced file size with good, standard resolution quality.

   • High: Shrinks the file to a much smaller size, with a noticeable but acceptable reduction in resolution quality.

   • Extreme: Maximizes compression for the absolute smallest file footprint, operating at the lowest visual quality tier.

6. Execute: Click the Compress button to initiate the optimization sequence.

Analyzing and Saving Your Results

Once the compression sequence completes, the app provides data tools to verify your modifications before saving:

• Download Immediately: If you are in a hurry, click Download Compressed File to instantly save the optimized document to your local computer's download path.

• Compare Results: Click the Compare Results button to launch an interactive, side-by-side visual viewer displaying your original file next to the compressed version.

  • The Interactive Slider: Click and drag the interactive center divider bar left or right to inspect text and image quality differences across both versions in real time.

• Finalize: Once you are satisfied with your quality profile inspection, click the Download Compressed File button to complete your session. If the quality is too low, click cancel to return to the dashboard and try a lighter compression tier.