How to Remove PDF Metadata Before Sharing
A PDF can contain properties that are not visible on the page, including the title, author, subject, keywords, software name, and dates. Reviewing those fields before sharing helps avoid exposing outdated or unnecessary context.
In short: Open a copy, inspect every populated field, choose a cleaning mode, download the result, and verify both its metadata and visible content.
What PDF metadata cleaning can remove
HatchMyPDF can edit common document properties and apply cleaning options for selected Info/XMP metadata and embedded elements supported by the tool. Metadata cleaning is not visual redaction: text or images visible on a page remain in the document unless you edit the page itself.
Step-by-step
- Upload a copy of the PDF — Keep the source unchanged until you have verified the cleaned result.
- Review fields and cleaning mode — Change or remove the title, author, subject, keywords, language, dates, and available hidden metadata.
- Update, download, and inspect — Save the new PDF, reopen it, and check its document properties before sharing.
What to check before downloading
PDFs may contain information in visible text, annotations, attachments, forms, layers, filenames, or previous revisions. A metadata tool cannot guarantee that every sensitive fact has been redacted.
Edit or Remove PDF Metadata Online
View, change, or clean PDF title, author, subject, keywords, dates, and selected hidden metadata locally in your browser.
Common questions
Will metadata removal erase text shown on the page?
No. Metadata fields and visible page content are separate. Use a suitable redaction workflow for information that appears on a page.
Should I edit the original file?
Work on a copy. That preserves the source and lets you compare properties if a downstream system depends on them.
Next step
Clean a copy and verify the document properties before sending it outside your organization. Edit or remove PDF metadata. Related guide: How to password-protect a PDF.