Batch Converting PDFs to A4 Size

Acrobat has some really strange things happening when you try to change page size. Although the option to "change page size" to A4 is there, it won't work. Mostly because it's not really clear exactly how the crop page works. Hopefully this explanation is, first correct, and second helpful.

When creating a batch to change the page size, do all the normal stuff like name the batch, etc. Then select "Crop Page", click add and edit. Here's the unclear part, you can only change the page size to a larger page. So I would suggest 11 x 17 since the A4 size is 8.3 x 11.7. Do not select "tabloid" from the drop down menu, rather, enter in width as 11 and height as 17. This allows for the x/y offsets to center your page on the 11 x 17. Leave everything else as default and hit okay.

Now, Add "crop page" again to your sequence and press edit. Remember, you can't choose "change page size" because you're making your page smaller. Instead, you need to figure out how much you need to crop from top, bottom, left and right in order to achieve your A4 size and enter these numbers under "margin control". Also, select "remove white margin". This essentially crops the page down to the size you need. Hit okay.

Now, run your sequence on your file, open your file and it will probably come out wrong, so make your adjustments in your batch until it's satisfactory.

Long winded, long process, probably easier to write a javascript, but it works and once you have it set up, it's there for good.

Hope this helps.

thanks