Remove metadata from a PDF

See the author, application, creation and modification dates and XMP data a PDF carries, then download a copy without them. Pages, text and images stay exactly as they are.

How it works

  1. Drop one or more PDF files.
  2. Check the metadata found: document properties, XMP, page thumbnails and the document ID.
  3. Download the cleaned PDF.

Works well for

  • PDFs exported from Word, InDesign or a scanning app that carry your name, company or the original file name in their properties.
  • XMP metadata with edit history and application IDs, and the private editing data Illustrator or Acrobat store in the file.
  • Leftovers of earlier edits: objects the document no longer uses are dropped when the file is saved.
  • Page thumbnails and the document ID, which can link different copies of the same file.

Limitations

  • Password-protected (encrypted) PDFs are refused – remove the password first.
  • Only metadata is removed. Names or dates printed on the pages, comments and form fields stay – for those use Clean PDF.
  • EXIF data stored inside photos embedded in the PDF is not rewritten.
  • A digital signature is no longer valid once the file has been changed.

Frequently asked questions

What metadata does a PDF contain?

Usually the document properties (title, author, subject, keywords, the application that created the file, the PDF producer, creation and modification dates) and an XMP packet with the same and more details, sometimes including an edit history. Some files also carry page thumbnails, private application data and a document ID.

Will the PDF look different afterwards?

No. Pages are not re-rendered: text stays selectable and images are not recompressed. The file is saved again, so its size can change a little – usually it gets smaller.

Is the PDF uploaded anywhere?

No. It is processed in your browser and never leaves your device. Only the paid HTTP API for Pro users works on our server, with the files you send to it.

Can I clean a password-protected PDF?

No. An encrypted PDF cannot be read without its password, so the tool refuses it. Remove the password in your PDF app, then drop the file again.