Sanitize PDF
Rebuild visible PDF pages while removing metadata, forms, annotations, attachments, scripts, links and hidden text layers.
*Local PDF tools after the app and required resources have loaded. Optional cloud AI and checkout need a connection.
The interactive tool loads in your browser.
How to deep-sanitize a PDF before sharing it
Create a clean PDF from the visible page appearance while intentionally removing hidden and interactive document data such as metadata, annotations, forms, attachments, scripts and invisible text layers.
- Choose the PDF you want to clean.
- Run Deep Sanitize in your browser.
- The visible pages are rebuilt into a new PDF.
- Download the sanitized copy.
- Reopen it and confirm the visible page content is correct before sharing.
A practical example
A PDF prepared inside several applications may contain author metadata, comments, form values, attachments, scripts or an OCR text layer. Deep Sanitize rebuilds the visible page appearance while removing those interactive and hidden elements.
Common questions
What does Deep Sanitize remove?
The workflow is designed to remove document metadata, XMP and custom information keys, embedded files, comments and annotations, forms and hidden values, JavaScript and actions, links, bookmarks and invisible or OCR text layers.
Will selectable text remain selectable?
No. Deep Sanitize intentionally rebuilds the visible page appearance and removes selectable or OCR text layers along with other hidden and interactive data.
Is sanitizing the same as redacting?
No. Sanitize removes hidden and interactive document data. Permanent Redaction is the appropriate workflow for visible confidential information that must be blacked out.
Should I keep the original PDF?
Yes. Sanitization intentionally removes document features, so keep your original separately until you have checked the cleaned copy.
Is the PDF uploaded for sanitization?
The sanitization workflow runs locally in your browser.