How can I change the page size of a scanned PDF document?

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Level 1

23 points

How can I change the page size of a scanned PDF document?

How can I change the page size of a scanned PDF document?

I scanned a 50-page document with an HP 5610xi All-In-One using the software that comes with it: HP Scan Pro. Though the physical document has standard 8.5" x 11" pages, the PDF resulting from scanning has page size set to 35.42 × 48.67 inches (according to Preview's "Tools > Inspector". I want to resize the pages to 8.5" x 11". Shouldn't Preview be able to do that with "Tools > Adjust Size..."? When I try, the menu option is grey so I can't select it.

I'm using Preview Version 4.2.

MacBook Pro (Late 2007, 2.4/2.2GHz), Mac OS X (10.5.5)

Posted on May 17, 2010 9:12 AM

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Answer 1

Tim.Leonard Author

Level 1

23 points

May 18, 2010 10:21 AM in response to Andrew Lamont

Thanks for the insight; that explains why it's the wrong size. I selected 300dpi scanning (which is the default, actually), but HP Scan Pro evidently created a PDF with 72dpi indicated. I want it fixed because I want to distribute the file to other people and have them able to print or display it without problems.

I still don't know why Preview won't let me change it, but your question about whether I wanted to print it did lead me to find a workaround: "File > Print" and "Save as PDF..." saved it with the correct page size.

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Answer 2

May 18, 2010 9:35 AM in response to Tim.Leonard

Looks like your pages were scanned at 72dpi. I wouldn't be too concerned with it. File size would be identical if you changed the resolution to 300dpi, and reduced the print size to 8.5x11.

Why do you need it changed? Are you trying to print it?

35.42 × 48.67 at 72dpi = 8.5 × 11 at 300dpi

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