What does Remove PDF Metadata do?
Remove PDF Metadata is a free online tool that can remove PDF file tags with ExifTool. The PDF result from Remove PDF Metadata is a separate copy to inspect before you use it elsewhere. One possible use is template author fields cleared before a public release.
This PDF tool asks ExifTool to clear file tags from a copy of your PDF. File tags are details stored about a file, such as a title or an author name.
A report made from an old template may still show the template's name in a viewer. Clearing those tags can help before you share a new copy with other people.
The tool does not look for names or private text on the visible pages. Open the new PDF in a tag reader and check the fields you meant to clear.
Review the pages as a separate step, since a clean list of tags says nothing about their text. A properties panel shows only some file tags.
A removed author line does not prove that the old value is gone from every part of the file. Use a separate inspection tool for a privacy review.
Look at the visible pages too. A name in a scanned letter remains visible after tag cleanup.
Clear PDF metadata tags online: steps
Before using Remove PDF Metadata, decide what the new copy must contain and where it will be used. Check the source's title, author and other file tags, then decide which details must be absent from the shared copy. Review the upload area and all values required by the current Remove PDF Metadata form.
Choose the source
Inspect the file tags with a separate local reader. For Remove PDF Metadata, choose one source from your device. Keep a source copy for another attempt.
Review the form values
The Remove PDF Metadata form has no extra task settings. Check the source in the file area.
Run the file task
Use Process Remove PDF Metadata after checking the source and form values. Wait for the job to finish. An error means this attempt failed.
Save and check the output
Look at the new PDF in a tag reader and check visible pages for names, notes or other private text. Store the output on your device. Name this copy separately from the original.
Clear tags: uses for Remove PDF Metadata
Remove PDF Metadata can help with hidden file tags reduced in a non-sensitive sample. It can also be used for file-property leaks checked in an export workflow. The PDF result from Remove PDF Metadata must suit the intended reading or editing step, so keep the source until that check is complete.
- Template author fields cleared before a public release.
- Hidden file tags reduced in a non-sensitive sample.
- File-property leaks checked in an export workflow.
- Cleaner working copies prepared for independent inspection.
Formats and limits for Remove PDF Metadata
The Remove PDF Metadata form accepts PDF sources. Each Remove PDF Metadata upload can be up to 300 MB, which equals 300 MiB. The allowed suffixes on the Remove PDF Metadata page do not prove that a source has valid content inside it.
| Accepted formats | Maximum file size | Output |
|---|---|---|
| 300 MB per file (300 MiB upload limit) |
Clearing file tags does not hide page content. Private notes, names or pictures can remain on the pages themselves.
How this tool works
Remove PDF Metadata uses ExifTool to handle the source on the server. The Remove PDF Metadata request uses your chosen input rather than any local editing project left on your device. Check the PDF contents produced by Remove PDF Metadata before treating them as ready for another app or reader.
For Remove PDF Metadata, your browser uploads the source to our file-processing server. This is a server task, not local editing.
Files are due for deletion within 1 hour. Cleanup runs during normal service operation. Keep a local download for future use.
Remove PDF Metadata questions and answers
If Remove PDF Metadata gives an unexpected result, start by checking the source type and the values used in the form. Check the PDF contents from Remove PDF Metadata as well as the filename or displayed message. For another result type, compare Remove PDF Metadata with the separate tools described in these answers.
What matters when using Remove PDF Metadata?
Check visible headers for names before public sharing. View that area at its intended display size. Note any differences that affect your purpose.
Why try Edit PDF Metadata?
Edit PDF Metadata offers another task beside Remove PDF Metadata: update title and author metadata of a PDF. Edit PDF Metadata returns PDF. The stated PDF output from Remove PDF Metadata matches a listed input type for Edit PDF Metadata.
Why try Sanitize PDF?
Sanitize PDF offers another task beside Remove PDF Metadata: rewrite PDF structure with qpdf and Ghostscript; inspect hidden content afterward. Sanitize PDF returns PDF. The stated PDF output from Remove PDF Metadata matches a listed input type for Sanitize PDF.
Why try PDF to PNG?
PDF to PNG offers another task beside Remove PDF Metadata: convert all PDF pages to PNG images (zipped). PDF to PNG returns ZIP. The stated PDF output from Remove PDF Metadata matches a listed input type for PDF to PNG.
What if my PDF result does not open?
For a failed Remove PDF Metadata result, first confirm that the download completed and that the viewer supports PDF. Try another local viewer for that format.
Record any error message for support. Keep private source material out of the report.
How do I report a problem with Remove PDF Metadata?
Contact support with the Remove PDF Metadata page name, source format and the error you saw. Mention any relevant form settings you chose. Do not send passwords or private attachments.