Start with visible content
Private document review should start with the visible page or image. Check names, addresses, account numbers, UI tabs, comments, handwritten notes, and anything in the background before changing the file size or format.
After the visible review, inspect file-specific metadata. PDFs, photos, and screenshots can carry different hidden fields, so a single generic cleanup step is rarely enough for high-value documents.
- Use a viewer first so you know what the recipient can see.
- Redact visible details before compression or format conversion.
- Keep the original and export a separate sharing copy.
Separate privacy checks from upload fixes
Compression and conversion can help with upload limits, but they are not the same as privacy review. A small PDF can still contain the wrong author field, and a compressed image can still show private content.
Use size reduction after the document structure and sensitive content are settled. That keeps the final delivery copy predictable and avoids repeated compression passes.