Essential Digital Skills Level 1

111 videos, 7 hours and 55 minutes

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Compressing a file on an apple computer

Video 83 of 111
2 min 1 sec
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How to Compress Files on an Apple Mac

Introduction

If you have multiple files and want to compress them into a single file, this is different from merely placing them into a folder. Compressing files maintains their quality but combines them into one file. This file can then be easily transferred to someone else, who can decompress it to restore the original files.

Compressing Files

In this guide, we will demonstrate how to compress files on an Apple Mac computer.

Step 1: Select Files

Start by selecting the files you want to compress. For example, let’s look at two PowerPoint files. Click on each PowerPoint file to select them.

Step 2: Compress Files

With the files selected, open the menu and choose the "Compress" option. Once you click "Compress," you will see a file named "Archive.zip" appear at the top. This is the compressed file. The original files remain unchanged.

Step 3: Rename Archive

You can rename the compressed file to something more descriptive, such as "PowerPoint Archive" or "PP Archive."

Compressing Larger Files

If you have larger files to compress, the process is slightly longer. For example, select three documents to compress. Open the menu, click "Compress," and a small window will appear, showing the progress of the compression. It typically takes about 10 seconds to compress these files, resulting in a zip file named "Archive.zip."

Step 4: Viewing and Extracting Files

To view or extract the compressed files, hover over the zip file and double-click it. This will open a folder containing the original files.

Benefits of File Compression

Compressing files into a single archive simplifies file management and transfer. It is useful for archiving documents and keeping them in a single location for future access on your computer.

Conclusion

Compressing files on an Apple Mac is a straightforward process that helps you manage and transfer multiple files efficiently. Whether you need to archive documents or send large files, using the compress feature ensures that your files are organised and easily accessible.

Learning Outcomes:
  • EDSQ Unit 4 LO 11.5