Keeping a chat appendix under Net HaMishpat's 30MB limit
Net HaMishpat accepts files of up to 30MB. A chat with a few hundred photos does not fit.
Net HaMishpat limits each uploaded file to 30MB. A chat appendix passes that mainly because of media: every photo or screenshot adds to the PDF. There are three ways to stay under it: narrow the appendix to the relevant dates and participants, show photos as compressed thumbnails or list media in an index instead of embedding it, or split the appendix into numbered parts, each under 30MB. Nispach shows the expected file size as you filter, and when the output would still pass 30MB it splits it automatically at page breaks, with continuous page numbers.
Where the megabytes come from
Text is light: thousands of messages fit in a few megabytes. Photos are heavy. A phone photo is often 2–4MB, and a chat with screenshots and photos adds up fast. A PDF built from screenshots is worst of all, because every message becomes an image.
Option 1: narrow the range
The appendix usually needs a period and some participants, not the whole chat. Filtering by date and sender reduces both pages and media. The cover page states the range, so narrowing is transparent.
Option 2: thumbnails and an index
Photos can appear as compressed thumbnails in place, readable on screen and in print, at a fraction of the size. Voice notes, videos and documents cannot be shown on paper anyway; they are listed in an index with their file names and times, so they can be submitted separately if needed.
Option 3: split into parts
When the appendix must stay complete and still passes 30MB, it is split into parts, for example "Appendix A, part 1 of 3". Each part is under the limit, splits fall at page breaks, and page numbers run continuously across parts, so citations stay valid.
Turn the export into an appendix
Drop in the WhatsApp export and preview the first three pages for free. The chat stays on your computer.
Start with your email
Email only. We send the link to start and nothing else.
FAQ
Is 30MB the limit for each file or for the whole filing?
The 30MB limit discussed here is per uploaded file. Check the current Net HaMishpat instructions for the filing you are making.
Does compression make photos unreadable?
Thumbnails are sized to stay readable on screen and in print. The original media stays in your export if a full-size copy is needed.
Can I see the size before downloading?
Yes. The expected size updates as you change the filters and media options.