PDF metadata remover
PDFs carry document properties: author name, company, software that created them, and sometimes revision history. Before publishing FOIA responses, client deliverables, or anonymous submissions, strip metadata that leaks identity or internal toolchain.
How to remove PDF metadata
1. Upload the PDF.
2. Review listed metadata fields if shown.
3. Run removal / sanitize.
4. Download the cleaned PDF and verify Properties in a reader.
Sanitization examples
Anonymous peer review
Remove author field that still says hiring manager name from exported Word-to-PDF.
Public FOIA release
Strip Creator and Producer fields revealing internal Acrobat versions.
Client-facing report
Remove embedded employee login from custom export plugin metadata.
When to strip PDF metadata
• Before publishing documents where author identity must be hidden.
• When reducing accidental leakage of internal software versions.
• When file size trims slightly by dropping XMP bloat.
When to keep metadata
• When archival systems require provenance and audit trails.
• When digital signature validation depends on metadata chain.
• When court filings require embedded authorship — follow local rules.
Beyond Properties dialog
Embedded attachments, JavaScript, and hidden layers are separate risks. Metadata scrub is one step in a sanitation checklist.
Word export habit
Documents titled "CompanyName_Strategy_INTERNAL.docx" often push that string into PDF Title — scrub before external send.
Pair with password protect
Sanitize then encrypt when sharing sensitive cleaned documents externally.
Frequently asked questions
What metadata is removed?
Common fields: Title, Author, Subject, Keywords, Creator, Producer, CreationDate, ModDate, and XMP packets.
Hidden text and comments?
Metadata remover focuses on properties — review comments and redacted layers separately.
Does removal change layout?
Visible page content should be unchanged.
Re-add metadata later?
Desktop tools can set properties again on the clean file.
Local only?
Yes.
After merge PDF?
Merged files inherit combined metadata — sanitize the final output.