Compressing files for assignments 

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Why you should compress your files 

There is no exact answer as to how large your file should be. Typically, the maximum file size that can be uploaded via Moodle is 100MB. Please check the submission area for information on maximum file size.

The time it takes you to upload your work will depend on the size of your file and your internet connection. Upload speeds may vary, and your internet connections can fluctuate. Upload speeds are generally much slower than download speeds. The larger the file size, the longer it will take to upload. Please allow plenty of time to upload your file.

We recommend you check your file size and if necessary compress your files before you try and upload them. Often files can be reduced in size very quickly and with no noticeable difference in the quality on display. Sometimes reducing the file size can improve the document, as your computer will spend less time loading larger images.

In the following instructions, we provide options for compressing PDFs, PowerPoint, and videos which might be useful to submit assignments, but also for ensuring that files do not take up as much space on your hard drive or cloud service, are easier to share, and are more usable for others (e.g. do not take ages to render due to the high file size).    

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Compressing PDFs

PDFs will be bigger if you include images, especially high-resolution images. One way to deal with the issue is to compress the PDF file. 

If you have an Adobe Acrobat DC Pro account you will be able to compress the file from there, otherwise, there are a variety of free online PDF compressors that are available.  

Using Adobe Acrobat to compress your file 

  1. Open the Optimize PDF tool. You can access this from the Tools Centre, by clicking on the tools tab at the top left.  
  2. Select your file to compress and click on ‘Reduce File Size’ from the top menu. 
  3. A dialog box will open. Reduce the file compatibility with only more recent versions of Adobe. Click ‘Save’ when done.  

Alternatively;

  1. Open a PDF in Acrobat 
  2. Choose File – Reduce File Size 
  3. Save the file. Acrobat will display a message showing the new size of the PDF. 

Free online compressors 

Online compressors are quick and simple to use. You just upload your file and press compress. Here are a few examples, which you might wish to try: 

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Compressing PowerPoint presentations 

PowerPoint presentations can become large if high-resolution images are used or videos and other multimedia are embedded. Where possible provide links to videos rather than embed them directly into the PowerPoint file. For images, try to select a lower resolution. You can also compress PowerPoint files.  

Compressing pictures in PowerPoint 

  1. Select a picture in your slides. The Picture Format tab will appear. 
  2. Click on ‘Compress Pictures’ in the Adjust group (on the Picture Format tab). 
  3. Under Compression options do any of the following:
    • Apply only to this picture: unselect this option if you want all pictures in the slides to be compressed. 
    • Delete cropped areas of pictures: this option will remove the cropped picture data. 
    • Resolution: under the ‘Resolution’ option you can change the resolution to one which is more appropriate for your project. E.g. 150ppi. 

Compress PowerPoint by converting it into a PDF 

Converting a PowerPoint into a PDF is a good way to compress the contents, however, you should only use this option if a PDF format is appropriate, or in other words, if the need to edit the file or share as slides is not important.  

  1. Click on ‘File’ – ‘Export’.  
  2. Select the ‘Create PDF/XPS Document’ option.
  3. Save the file. 

Alternatively; 

  1. Click on ‘File’ – ‘Save a Copy’ .
  2. From the drop-down menu (which is defaulted to PowerPoint Presentation (.pptx). select instead, ‘PDF (.pdf)’.  
  3. Save the file. 
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Compressing Videos 

Your video editing software will probably have some kind of compression option available, otherwise, you can compress videos using other software.  

Panopto 

If you upload your video to Panopto it will automatically compress. Using Panopto is a good alternative to YouTube as it is not open to the public and is available through UAL. If your file is really large, however, you may experience some issues uploading it. Please make sure you monitor your file while it uploads. If you experience difficulties you can compress it with an alternative tool before you upload it again.

Alternative Tools

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Getting help

Please contact the CSM digital learning team if you would like any advice on compressing your files:

CSM Digital Learning Team