What metadata is removed when I select 'Remove Metadata'?

It strips the document title, author, subject, keywords, creator, producer, creation/modification dates, and XML metadata (XMP).

Does removing annotations delete my highlights and comments?

Yes, it removes all user-added comments, text highlights, stamps, and other page annotations.

What happens to interactive form fields when cleaned?

The interactive form fields and AcroForm structure are removed, preventing users from filling out or modifying form data.

Will removing bookmarks affect the actual pages of my PDF?

No, it only removes the document outline, bookmarks, and named destinations, leaving the page content intact.

Is my original PDF file modified?

No, the tool processes a copy of your file and provides a new, cleaned PDF for download.

PDF Clean (PDF清理工具) | Online Free Tool

Examples

1. Sanitizing a Legal Contract for Public Release

Legal Assistant

Background

A legal assistant needs to publish a finalized contract, but the draft contains internal comments and author metadata.

Problem

The PDF contains sensitive author information and internal review comments that must not be visible to the public.

How to use

Upload the contract PDF, check the boxes for 'Remove Metadata' and 'Remove Annotations', and run the tool.

{
  "removeMetadata": true,
  "removeAnnotations": true,
  "removeBookmarks": false,
  "removeFormFields": false
}

Outcome

A clean PDF document with all internal comments and author metadata permanently removed.

2. Flattening and Cleaning a PDF Form

HR Specialist

Background

An HR specialist wants to archive completed employee onboarding forms without keeping the interactive form fields active.

Problem

The PDF forms remain interactive, allowing accidental edits to the submitted data.

How to use

Upload the completed PDF form, check 'Remove Form Fields' and 'Remove Metadata', and process the file.

{
  "removeMetadata": true,
  "removeAnnotations": false,
  "removeBookmarks": false,
  "removeFormFields": true
}

PDF Clean (PDF清理工具) | Online Free Tool | Elysia Tools

PDF Clean (PDF清理工具)

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Examples

1. Sanitizing a Legal Contract for Public Release

2. Flattening and Cleaning a PDF Form

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