File too big: what to do when ELLA refuses an upload

ELLA refuses a file when it is bigger than the limit. It tells you that size is the problem.

The limits

The largest file and the number of files in a request are limited: the limits shown beside Add a file in your chat. See your monthly allowance.

Make the file smaller

Most large files are big because of images.

PDF: save or export it again with a lower image quality, or use your PDF reader's "reduce file size" option. For a scan, scan at 300 dots per inch rather than 600.
Word or PowerPoint: compress the pictures. In Word and PowerPoint, the picture format tools have a "Compress Pictures" option.
If you remove embedded video or audio to reduce the file size, keep the original and check that you have not removed content needed for the conversion.
Upload the Word or PowerPoint original instead of a PDF made from it. It is often much smaller.

Split the document

If the file is a whole book, ask for one chapter at a time. A smaller file is also quicker and easier to check. Split a PDF with your PDF reader's "extract pages" tool, or print specific pages to PDF.

Many files

If you attach many files and ELLA refuses, send them in smaller groups. The limit beside Add a file shows how many your request can hold.

Photos

Phone photos can be large. Lower the camera's quality setting, or send a PDF with all the pages. See photos of pages.

If your file is under the limit and ELLA still refuses

The file may be an unsupported type or be corrupt. See unsupported file. If it still fails, contact support and say how big the file is.

Still stuck?

Browse the help centre, or contact support and say what you were trying to do.

File too big