Extract Parts of PDFs With Preview

You can extract pages and parts of pages from a PDF using a variety of different techniques on your Mac in Preview. One is so easy it almost isn't worth mentioning the others.

Comments: 12 Responses to “Extract Parts of PDFs With Preview”

    Sheldon
    4 months ago

    Thanks bunches

    Heidi FoCo
    4 months ago

    I do all of these things often enough but you definitely gave me more shortcuts AND REALLY addressed the storage issue.
    I just love all you do here and podcast but this latest video is FANTASTIC!! Thank you!!

    P Stillson
    4 months ago

    Another simple method for extracting parts of a PDF is to use Preview and Pages. First, open the PDF in Preview and use the rectangular selection tool to highlight the desired portion. Copy the selection, then open a new, blank Pages document and paste the copied content. You can now move, rearrange, and combine the pasted sections as needed. Once you're satisfied with the arrangement, export the Pages document as a PDF. The resulting PDF will retain the original resolution.

    Jak G
    4 months ago

    Nice, thanks for pointing out the multi page select and drag to Finder option - very useful.

    Alec James
    4 months ago

    Very useful. Thanks Gary

    Kathy
    4 months ago

    I do this all the time and didn't know about creating by selecting and dragging. What a time saver - thanks!

    Eric
    4 months ago

    Hi Gary.

    Is there a technique for reducing the size of a resulting PDF when extracting a rectangular area from a large (39 MB) PDF that is a geographic map?

    As you were describing in your video when I do an extract (select rectangular area, copy, then new from clipboard, save) the resulting file is the same size as the original file.

    TIA

    Eric

    Eric
    4 months ago

    Hi Gary,

    I have used Affinity Designer 2 to achieve the desired outcome. It would still be interesting if the same result could be obtained using Preview or other macOS 'standard' app.

    Cheers

    Eric

    Dot
    4 months ago

    I want a VomBatu 5! And I promise to keep it dry after midnight. Seriously, I learned some useful new things from this video, and have learned much, much more from all your videos over the years I’ve been watching them. Thank you.

    4 months ago

    Eric: You could try experimenting with the redact feature. Redact the parts you don't want. Then save. Then open the file again and copy the remaining section. See if that works.

    Eric
    4 months ago

    Gary: I did try using the redact tool but it seems to be limited to dealing with text and not vectors.

    4 months ago

    Eric: It does work with images, but I didn't try vectors. I suppose that makes sense as curves can start and end at any point and it would be very difficult to recalculate them if one was erased. So I guess converting to an image like you mentioned is probably your best bet. Instead of using another app, you can try crop, new document, paste and then export as a jpg.

Leave a New Comment Related to "Extract Parts of PDFs With Preview"

:
:
:
0/500 (500 character limit -- please state your comment succinctly and do not try to get around this limit by posting two comments)