PDF Bench
How to remove PDF metadata before sharing
PDF files often carry more than what you see on the page. Author names, edit history, embedded files, and even scripts can be tucked inside — and anyone who opens the file can find them. Here's how to clean that up.
What kind of hidden info can a PDF contain?
- Author name, creator app, title, and subject fields — often filled in automatically by whatever app made the PDF.
- Timestamps that show when the document was created or last edited.
- Embedded files, attachments, JavaScript, and other extras that most people don't even know are there.
Quick clean vs flattened copy
- Quick clean strips out common metadata and risky extras while keeping the rest of the PDF intact. Good for most situations.
- Flattened copy rebuilds every page as an image, which gives you stronger protection but means the text won't be searchable or selectable anymore.
- Flattened files can be larger. Choose this when you need maximum safety and don't mind the tradeoff.
How to do it
- Open the Sanitize tool and load your PDF. The before-analysis panel shows you what's inside.
- Choose quick clean for routine cleanup, or flattened copy if you're sharing something sensitive externally.
- Check the after-analysis panel, then open the final file in a separate viewer before you send it.