Decide what the recipient actually needs
List the required sections and remove blank pages, duplicates, internal notes, appendices, personal records, or unrelated attachments. Minimum necessary sharing is safer than sending the complete source.
Be careful with printed page numbers because they may differ from the viewer page index.
Use a working copy
Keep the original unchanged in an approved location. Save the reduced version with a clear name that does not expose private information.
When multiple versions exist, confirm you are editing the final intended source.
Check features affected by deletion
Removing pages can break bookmarks, table-of-contents links, internal references, form calculations, signatures, and page labels. It may also change the meaning of a signed document.
Review the output from the recipient perspective rather than assuming the editor preserved everything.
Verify the new file completely
Open the saved output, compare page count, scroll every page, search for sensitive terms, inspect properties, and check comments or attachments.
Share only the verified reduced copy and retain the source according to your retention rules.
Final review checklist
- Required pages listed
- Original preserved
- Printed and viewer page numbers distinguished
- Bookmarks and signatures checked
- New file reviewed page by page