Does Anki automatically lower the file size of image when I paste it in?

Anki Help
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I’ve been making a lot of flashcards recently that uses screenshots I copied and pasted from Firefox.

I was worried that my screenshots will end up taking too much space, so to check the file size, in Anki: I right clicked on the image that I pasted → Open image. And it seems that the file is way smaller than the original one I have taken from Firefox

I don’t know if this is the proper way to check file size in Anki (or if this is even the image that is being uploaded), so I just wanted to double check to confirm if Anki is indeed automatically compressing the image I pasted to lower it’s size. (and how much is it being compressed)

If it’s not automatically lowering the size, what can I do to help reduce the file size and make it more manageable?

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Yes, that should open the image that is stored in your collection.media and attached to this note.

If it was a screenshot that you captured, and then pasted from your copy buffer – what original file size are you comparing it to?

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Thanks for replying

In Firefox when you take a screenshot it gives you 2 options “download” and “copy”, I was comparing it to the image that I chose “download” for.

As an example if I take a small region screenshot and choose “download”, the image file will be around 600 KB. But if I take the exact same screenshot and choose “copy”, I don’t actually see the file size until I paste it into Anki. In Anki if I do the “Open image” as mentioned above, the image will be something like 50KB or something really small (compare to the “download).

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By default Anki pastes images on the clipboard as JPG files, to save disk space. You can use the option to paste as PNG images instead. PNG images support transparent backgrounds and are lossless, but they usually result in much larger file sizes.

-The manual

This thread might be relevant: Bulk compressing PNG images to save storage space.

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You can try the AJT Media Converter addon for the desktop version

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Ok, I only just learn of the collection.media folder. It looks like the folder stores all the images and sound file.

Is this the folder that is being sync across all my devices (and the folder that largely determines the amount of storage Anki takes up)?

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That sounds like you might be comparing PNGs and JPGs, as others have mentioned.

Yes, that folder has all the media that is being synced, but it doesn’t include your collection database, which contains all of your notes, decks, cards, review history, etc. [also stored in your profile folder – Managing Files - Anki Manual ].

  • If your concern is how much space your collection/profile is taking up on your devices – the best thing you can do is periodically run Tools > Check Media and delete unused media – Media - Anki Manual . (It’s best for you, for your devices, and for the shared resource of the AnkiWeb servers.) Then, once you’re sure nothing you need is missing, you can run the second step and “Empty Trash.”

  • If your concern is how much space your collection/profile is taking up out of the size limit to be able to sync with AnkiWeb – you only need to be consider your collection database, because what the syncing limit applies to. Are there limits on file sizes on AnkiWeb? - Anki FAQs

The fastest way to see your size for Collection and Media is to go to https://ankiweb.net/decks and scroll to the bottom of the screen. Since I can see what you currently have synced, I can tell you that your collection looks fine – miles away from the limit. But your media looks like it could definitely use some pruning.

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This really cleared things up for me. Thank you all for helping.

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