How can I compress a large Pages document for emailing purpose?

I have a Pages document that is 1.16 GB with lots of photos and videos and I can’t send it by email. I have tried “zipping” it but can’t get much compression. Is there a way to compress it to make it “Emailable”? I have all of the recent updates for iOS and Pages. Any other info required?


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPad mini 6, iPadOS 17

Posted on Mar 29, 2024 9:32 AM

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Posted on Mar 30, 2024 2:44 AM

Here is a different approach. Instead of distributing the file (large) why not open a (free/small fee) account somewhere (blogspot or some such)? You could then create your travel journal right up there and upload images and videos. Simply send a link to your latest posting to anyone who you like. No issues between Apple and non-Apple users, no big files that you cannot get through email servers.


As others already have mentioned only Apple users are able to open Pages documents and see your video. PDFs will be extremely large and clumsy and no video will make it (at least not with your available tools).


There is a ton such blog sites around that have been created explicitly for such purpose.


Maybe this helps. Have fun with travel, it's a great thing to do!


21 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 30, 2024 2:44 AM in response to Bonniedog

Here is a different approach. Instead of distributing the file (large) why not open a (free/small fee) account somewhere (blogspot or some such)? You could then create your travel journal right up there and upload images and videos. Simply send a link to your latest posting to anyone who you like. No issues between Apple and non-Apple users, no big files that you cannot get through email servers.


As others already have mentioned only Apple users are able to open Pages documents and see your video. PDFs will be extremely large and clumsy and no video will make it (at least not with your available tools).


There is a ton such blog sites around that have been created explicitly for such purpose.


Maybe this helps. Have fun with travel, it's a great thing to do!


Mar 29, 2024 1:25 PM in response to Bonniedog

Since you are apparently on iPadOS 17 and not macOS, many of the macOS focused recommendations in the accompanying threads will not be applicable to your Pages 13.2 for iPadOS. The latter does not have a Reduce File Size… menu item as does Pages for macOS, nor is there a means to compress the Pages, or PDF document further on iPadOS.


I say PDF because non-Apple recipients cannot read a Pages document as it requires Pages to open the document and other than Pages for iCloud, non-Apple users will just cuss when they receive a Pages document. Everyone has the ability to read a PDF though.


If you have Google Drive, Dropbox or other Cloud location — I would recommend putting the PDF there and send an email link to where others can download the PDF. Simpler than dealing with large email issues.

Mar 29, 2024 12:13 PM in response to Bonniedog

As this is required to be viewed by multiple people with various devices, it may be useful to export the file as a PDF, as shown in the screenshots below.



After exporting the file as a PDF, double click that file to open it in Preview. Once opened in preview, select to export it as shown in the screenshot below.



As an experiment, I did as instructed above. I was able to change the file size from 2.8MB to 470kB. While you will never get the file size to that number, you may be able to get it to a useable size.

Mar 29, 2024 11:24 AM in response to Bonniedog

You and your recipients need an internet connection to send or receive any email. MailDrop is no different. Just like any regular email, once the email is sent, a connection is no longer needed.


Why don’t you try a small MailDrop test with an acquaintance before sending it to other people (I imagine it’s work-related) ?

Mar 29, 2024 4:49 PM in response to VikingOSX

VikingOSX wrote:

Since you are apparently on iPadOS 17 and not macOS, many of the macOS focused recommendations in the accompanying threads will not be applicable to your Pages 13.2 for iPadOS. The latter does not have a Reduce File Size… menu item as does Pages for macOS, nor is there a means to compress the Pages, or PDF document further on iPadOS.


Err... In the Files app on the iPad w/ iPadOS 17, you can long-press a Pages document and compress it. Am I misunderstanding something?

Mar 29, 2024 12:15 PM in response to 6x6

Aahhh….I was mixed up with AirDrop and MailDrop but now I get it and it works…I think! However, it appears to only work from iCloud, not from my iPad mail app. Does that make sense?

You are brilliant. I called Apple support a couple of months ago about the same thing but a different Pages file and they did not suggest this at all. All they said was I would have to use AirDrop and only Apple users could get it. You should be working for Apple support!

These files are actually travel journals, not work related. I am retired and travelling and when I return from a trip, I like to do a journal with lots of photos and videos to share with friends, so thank you for solving this for me!

I did find it interesting though that when I tried to send it using the mail app, and it asked me if I wanted to use MailDrop and I said yes, it didn’t go. Any thoughts?

Mar 29, 2024 1:01 PM in response to 6x6

Another question🙄. I sent the file to my husband and downloaded it and opened it. Then I deleted the download but it also deleted the file from Pages!🤔. Is that to be expected and if yes, is there a way to save it permanently in Pages or will it have stay in his downloads forever? I hate keeping “stuff” if I don’t have to!

Mar 29, 2024 4:55 PM in response to Bonniedog

Bonniedog wrote:

Another question🙄. I sent the file to my husband and downloaded it and opened it. Then I deleted the download but it also deleted the file from Pages!🤔. Is that to be expected and if yes, is there a way to save it permanently in Pages or will it have stay in his downloads forever? I hate keeping “stuff” if I don’t have to!


The download should have created a new file on the device, at the very least with a new filename (perhaps followed by a number.) These 2 files are completely independent : the original one stays on your device, a new file is created by MailDrop and stored in iCloud. This is the latter file that is downloaded by the recipients.


I don't understand how deleting the downloaded file could have had any impact on the original file. This is truly puzzling.

Mar 30, 2024 5:54 AM in response to ruggiero

Yes, for my next journal, that is a great idea. I have used Wordpress once for that but have found it somewhat intimidating and complicated. Can you suggest an app that might be a good alternative? And yes, more travelling upcoming. Right now, I have a New Zealand trip to journal and an alternative to Pages would be great. Interestingly, I found Pages way better than Word for iPad. I did a trial of Word last month and it was useless. At least with Pages, the book templates are great but really not designed for what I want to do. Any suggestions for an app would be greatly appreciated!

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How can I compress a large Pages document for emailing purpose?

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