4 Replies Latest reply: Aug 27, 2014 6:40 AM by Tea Dish

Why does PDF file size increase each time I "save" tagging tasks?

Tea Dish Aug 25, 2014 2:32 PM

Why does PDF file size increase each time I "save" tagging tasks?

Given:

1) I'm running Acrobat Pro 11.0.07 (this is most current version)

2) My file size starts at 750mb and ends up 15mb when finished tagging.

3) Only certain documents experience this increase, i.e., no visible pattern of document characteristics

4) PDF's are not full of images...in fact, mostly <H1> <H2> <H3> <P> <Figure> alt text, ect.

5) Occurs with text PDF's and/or fillable forms (again, does not happen to all documents...only some)

6) File increase occurs incrementally as tagging tasks are performed; i.e., each new save increases file size a few megabytes.

7) Occurs whether I "save" or "save as"

8) Difficult to optimize these files without corruption

9) I'm running Mac OS 10.9.4 (this is most current version)

1. Re: Why does PDF file size increase each time I "save" tagging tasks?

a C student Aug 25, 2014 4:31 PM (in response to Tea Dish)

I have the same thing happen running on Windows 7 - except, when I "save as" to a new file name, the size gets reset back down. I now make it a habit once the accessibility work is complete to do one last "save-as" to a new file name. This frequently results in a smaller file size, sometimes substantially smaller. My guess is that "save-as" does a bit of file clean-up that "save" omits - at least on Windows when saving to a new file name.
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2. Re: Why does PDF file size increase each time I "save" tagging tasks?

Tea Dish Aug 25, 2014 5:11 PM (in response to a C student)

Thanks for your response!

I meant to say 750kb above, not 750mb (on item #2). But, you knew that.

I just experimented with "save as" on a 15mb file...and IT WORKED! It sized it back down to 750kb. I never noticed this happening.

Thanks again!
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3. Re: Why does PDF file size increase each time I "save" tagging tasks?

Test Screen Name Aug 27, 2014 12:22 AM (in response to Tea Dish)

By design, SAVE alone always makes a file bigger. But by design SAVE AS reclaims space. Be sure to appreciate the difference. Use SAVE AS always when you finish.
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4. Re: Why does PDF file size increase each time I "save" tagging tasks?

Tea Dish Aug 27, 2014 6:40 AM (in response to Test Screen Name)

Thank you so much for responding! I've been experimenting with the SAVE AS vs. SAVE for the past few days...and you are correct. It's funny because I've been tagging files for 2 years and never noticed this. Probably b/c I use both methods depending on the tagging tasks...some are more complicated than others and should not be overwritten. In those cases I SAVE AS new file.

I love this forum...thank you again!
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