Flatten a PDF
Flatten PDF form fields, strip scripts and metadata, or render every page as an image. Choose a mode based on what should stay selectable or editable. Free to use, with no sign-up required.
Files processed on your device01 How it works
- Add a PDF.
- Choose what to flatten or remove.
- Download and review the PDF.
02 Good to know
Form fields only keeps comments and other annotations active and reports their count. The removal mode deletes comments instead of drawing them onto the page. Keep the original if you might need to change answers later.
03Choose a PDF flattening mode
Form fields only writes form answers into page content and removes the form widgets. Page text stays selectable. Comments, links and other non-form annotations remain active; the result reports how many were retained.
Remove comments, scripts & metadata also deletes non-link annotations, attachments, scripts and document metadata. It removes comments instead of drawing them onto the page, and keeps links active.
Everything to images renders each page at the selected resolution. PDF text is no longer selectable, though OCR can recognize words in the images. Expandable comment text is not preserved. Review the rendered pages before sharing.
04Keep an editable original
Flattening is useful when you want form answers to appear as fixed page content. Save a copy first if those answers may need later edits.
Form fields only reports an error when there are no fields to flatten. It does not flatten standalone comments or markup.
05Flattening is not redaction
Flattening changes form fields or renders pages as images. It does not remove confidential words covered by a shape. Form fields only keeps non-form annotations active. Use a redaction tool to remove sensitive content, then inspect the exported PDF.
06 Questions
Will text stay selectable after flattening?
Page text stays selectable with Form fields only and Remove comments, scripts & metadata. Everything to images turns each page into an image, so text is no longer selectable as PDF text, though OCR can recognize words in the images.
Does flattening a PDF remove form fields?
Form fields only writes form field values into the page and removes the form widgets. Comments and other non-form annotations remain active, and the result reports their count.
Does flattening securely redact covered text?
No. Flattening is not a substitute for redaction. Remove sensitive content with a redaction tool and check the result.