50 lines
2.2 KiB
Markdown
50 lines
2.2 KiB
Markdown
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---
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title: Linearize PDF
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description: Optimize PDF files for fast web viewing with progressive loading. Also known as "Fast Web View" optimization.
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---
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# Linearize PDF
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Linearization restructures a PDF so the first page can be displayed before the entire file has downloaded. Adobe calls this "Fast Web View." If you host PDFs on a website or serve them through a document portal, linearization makes them feel significantly faster to open.
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## How It Works
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1. Upload one or more PDF files.
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2. Click **Linearize PDF(s)**.
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3. Download the results as a ZIP archive containing all linearized files.
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There are no settings to configure. The tool uses QPDF's `--linearize` flag, which rearranges the internal structure of the PDF without altering its visual content.
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## What Linearization Does
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- Reorders PDF objects so the first page's data appears at the beginning of the file
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- Adds a linearization dictionary and hint tables so viewers know where to find each page
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- Enables byte-range requests -- a browser can fetch just the first page without downloading the whole file
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- Cleans up the cross-reference table for efficient random access
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## Features
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- Batch processing of multiple PDFs in a single operation
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- Output preserves all content, fonts, images, and interactive elements
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- Uses QPDF (WebAssembly) for reliable, standards-compliant linearization
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- Results are packaged into a ZIP for easy download
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## Use Cases
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- Hosting PDF reports on a website where users expect instant page display
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- Embedding PDFs in web applications with in-browser viewers
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- Publishing PDF catalogs or manuals accessed over slow mobile connections
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- Preparing documents for content delivery networks (CDNs) that support byte-range serving
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## Tips
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- Linearize after all other edits are done. Any subsequent modification (merging, adding pages) will break the linearization.
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- Combine with Compress PDF for the smallest, fastest-loading PDFs possible.
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- Linearization adds a small amount of overhead to file size (typically under 1%).
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## Related Tools
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- [Compress PDF](./compress-pdf) -- reduce file size before linearizing
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- [Repair PDF](./repair-pdf) -- fix structural issues that prevent linearization
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- [Remove Metadata](./remove-metadata) -- strip metadata before publishing online
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