Remove hidden data from a PDF
PDFs often carry more than you can see: the author's name, the company's software, creation and editing dates, a working title, scripts that run when the file is opened, and even other files attached inside. Before you publish a document or send it to someone outside your organisation, it's worth cleaning that out.
Cleaning is especially useful for files exported from office programs, which record who wrote and edited them, and for PDFs you got from someone else and now want to publish. Bookmarks, links and form fields are kept unless you choose to remove scripts that drive them.
Remove Hidden Data strips the document properties and XMP metadata, removes JavaScript and actions that run automatically, and deletes embedded file attachments. Choose what to remove; the visible pages stay exactly the same. The result lists everything that was found and removed.
Cleaning happens in your browser, so the document never leaves your device — fitting for a tool that's all about privacy.
Drop a PDF here
PDF · or click to choose · you can also paste · up to 300 MB · stays on your device
Your privacy
This tool works entirely inside your browser. Your files are never uploaded to any server.
How to use Remove Hidden Data
- 1
Add your PDF
Drop the file on the page or click to choose it.
- 2
Choose what to remove
Metadata, scripts and auto-run actions, and embedded attachments.
- 3
Clean and download
See what was removed and save the cleaned PDF.
Questions and answers
Does it change how the pages look?
No. Only invisible data is removed.
Does it remove text hidden under black boxes?
No. To remove visible content for good, use Redact PDF.
Is my file uploaded?
No. Cleaning runs in your browser.
How do I see what's hidden first?
Run Safety Check: it lists scripts, auto-run actions, attachments and document properties.
Should I clean every PDF before sharing?
It's a good habit for documents going outside your organisation, such as CVs, offers and published reports.