How to inspect and remove PDF metadata
- Choose a PDF or use the sample to see the workflow.
- Review its author, title, creation details, custom properties and XMP packet count.
- Select Remove metadata. The tool rewrites a copy without the targeted document properties and PDF XMP metadata.
- Download the cleaned PDF after verification. Your original file is never changed.
A PDF can tell two different stories
The visible page might contain a finished report, while the document properties still name a previous author or an internal project. PDF metadata can also record the program that created it, creation and modification dates, keywords, or custom fields. The same details may appear again in an XMP packet.
This tool inspects both the Info dictionary and PDF XMP metadata. Cleanup removes the metadata objects as well as the references to them, rather than simply clearing a few familiar fields. It then loads the output again and checks that no document properties or PDF metadata packets remain and the page count is unchanged.
Metadata removal is one part of a sharing check
Names inside comments, filled-in forms, attachments and the visible pages are document content. They need a separate review. If your PDF contains photos, metadata removal here does not clean EXIF inside those images. Use the image metadata viewer and EXIF cleaner on the source photos before creating a PDF.
After cleanup, calculate a fresh PDF checksum if you need recipients to verify the exact version. You can explore a downloaded metadata report in the JSON formatter; the report itself contains the original metadata, so keep it private.
Frequently asked questions
What metadata can I view and remove from a PDF?
View standard and custom document properties from the PDF Info dictionary, including fields such as title, author, subject, keywords, creator, producer and dates. The tool detects PDF XMP metadata packets and previews up to five uncompressed packets. Cleanup removes the Info dictionary and PDF Metadata entries and streams, then reopens the saved file to check the result.
Does removal erase every private detail in a PDF?
No. It does not redact visible text, remove comments, form values, attachments or embedded-image metadata, or guarantee anonymity. It removes document properties and PDF XMP metadata. Review the pages and other content before sharing a sensitive document.
Is the PDF uploaded to a server?
No. Inspection and removal run locally in a background worker. The PDF is not uploaded or saved to browser storage. Download the cleaned copy when you are ready, then clear the tool or close the tab.
Can I clean an encrypted or digitally signed PDF?
Encrypted PDFs are not supported. A PDF with a detectable signature or signature field can be inspected, but cleanup is disabled to avoid invalidating signatures. Use an unsigned, unencrypted original instead.
Will the PDF look the same after removal?
Cleanup does not intentionally change page content. It rewrites the PDF structure, which changes its bytes and may change file size. The saved file is reopened to verify that the targeted metadata is gone and the page count is unchanged. Review the downloaded copy in your PDF reader before sharing.
Why are some dates or XMP details hard to read?
PDF dates can use a compact D:YYYYMMDDHHmmSS format with a timezone. Properties are shown as stored rather than guessed. Compressed XMP packets are detected and removed but are not inflated for preview. Long property values and packet previews are shortened on screen.