Can I choose to remove only specific metadata fields instead of all of them?

Yes — you can specify which fields to keep or remove. For example, 'remove the author but keep the title' or 'strip the creation date but leave the subject.' This gives you fine-grained control over what identifying information stays and what goes. If you don't specify, FlowPDF removes all metadata by default.

Does removing metadata change the file hash or affect digital signatures?

Yes — any modification to the PDF structure changes the file's hash and will invalidate existing digital signatures. If you have a signed PDF and you remove metadata, the signature will appear as a visual image but will fail cryptographic verification. The standard practice is to strip metadata before signing, or to accept that the signature will be invalidated if you strip later. If you need to keep the signature valid, don't modify the file at all.

Can metadata be restored or recovered after it's been stripped?

No — once metadata is removed, it's gone from the document structure. Unlike OS-level file properties (which might be stored elsewhere), PDF metadata is embedded in the file itself. Removing it deletes that data from the file's object tree. There is no recovery from the PDF alone. Always keep an original version if you think you might need the metadata later for internal record-keeping.

Does remove-metadata also strip the document's version history or edit logs?

Some PDFs contain a changelog or incremental save history that can reveal earlier versions of the document. FlowPDF removes this historical data as part of the metadata cleanup, including the incremental update structures. The result is a 'fresh' PDF with no history of how it was built, which is exactly what you want when sharing externally.

Is metadata removal really necessary for privacy — can't people just not look at it?

You can't control what recipients do with your file. Metadata is trivially visible — anyone can open the document properties in a PDF reader (usually under File > Properties) or use a free online metadata viewer. If you've ever saved a PDF from a personal document, the author field might contain your full name. If you converted a Word file, the metadata carries the Word document's author and company. Removing metadata is a basic hygiene step for any PDF that leaves your control. It's especially critical for legal filings, financial disclosures, and any document shared with the public.

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Remove Metadata from a PDF Online — Strip All Hidden Data, Free

Every PDF carries hidden baggage — metadata that's invisible when you view the file but is easily read by anyone who knows where to look. That baggage includes the author's name, the document title, the creation date, the software that generated the file (down to the specific version of Word or Acrobat), and often a history of edits or conversion steps. For a freelance designer sending a final deliverable, that metadata might reveal internal file names or the original creator's personal account. For a lawyer sending a settlement agreement, it might show the editing history and the exact time the document was created. For any individual sharing a sensitive PDF, it's a privacy leak you didn't know existed. FlowPDF strips all of this — leaving only the page content and necessary technical structure, with none of the identifying or trackable properties. The resulting document is clean, anonymous, and safe for external distribution, while still being a fully functional PDF.

Upload, then strip the document properties

or drag & drop your PDF here

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How it works

1
Upload your PDF.
2
Ask FlowPDF to remove metadata — for example, 'remove all metadata from this file' or 'strip the document properties.'
3
FlowPDF processes the file and generates a clean version.
4
Download the metadata-stripped PDF — all identifying properties are gone.

Frequently asked questions

FlowPDF removes: document title, author name, subject line, keywords, creation date, modification date, the software application that created the PDF (e.g., 'Microsoft Word 2016'), the PDF producer (e.g., 'Adobe Acrobat Pro'), file identifier strings, and any custom properties that were added by the creator. The page content, images, text, and form fields are completely untouched and remain fully accessible. You'll still be able to search, select text, and print the PDF.