# Sanitize PDF — Free Online (PdfPixels)

> Remove PDF document properties, author details, timestamps, and PDF XMP metadata.

Canonical URL: https://www.pdfpixels.com/tools/sanitize-pdf
Processing: server
Cost: free, no signup required for core use.

## Short answer

Remove document properties and PDF XMP metadata while retaining page content. Review other sources of private information separately.

## About

Sanitize PDF removes the document information dictionary, including author, title, software, dates, and custom properties, together with PDF XMP metadata streams. Optional form flattening turns current form values into visible page content. This is a metadata cleaner, not a complete anonymization tool: visible content, attachments, comments, hidden layers, and metadata inside embedded images may still contain private information. Inspect the resulting document before sharing it.

## Key features

- Live metadata inspection showing standard author, software, and timestamp properties
- Permanent removal of Title, Author, Subject, Keywords, Creator, and Producer attributes
- Complete deletion of embedded XMP XML metadata packets containing editing history
- Optional form field flattening to make current values part of page content
- A metadata cleanup step before sharing; does not certify compliance or anonymity

## How to use

1. **Upload PDF to sanitize** — Select the contract, government filing, press release, or sensitive report.
2. **Inspect detected metadata** — Review the live audit showing detected author, creation date, software producer, and XMP streams.
3. **Execute one-click purge** — Our engine wipes the Document Info Dictionary and deletes all embedded XMP metadata packets.
4. **Download sanitized PDF** — Download the cleaned PDF and review its visible content, comments, and attachments before sharing.

## FAQ

### What hidden information is stored inside PDF files?

PDFs commonly store author names, computer usernames, organization names, software versions (e.g. "Microsoft Word 2021 for Mac"), file creation dates, modification timestamps, and editing histories in XMP streams.

### Can PDF metadata reveal GPS locations or original author identities?

Yes. Documents created on smartphones or exported from desktop word processors often embed author full names, machine IDs, network server paths, and even GPS coordinate tags in embedded images. Sanitizing the PDF strips the Info dictionary and global XMP packets, preventing accidental data leaks.

### What is the difference between Redacting a PDF and Sanitizing a PDF?

Redaction permanently blacks out and obliterates visible text on page surfaces (such as Social Security Numbers, names, and account figures). Sanitization removes invisible, non-printed document properties (such as author metadata, creation software, and editing history). For complete document security before public release, legal and compliance teams typically redact visible sensitive text first, then sanitize metadata second.

### Is clearing document properties in Acrobat the same as sanitizing?

The tool removes the Info dictionary and PDF XMP metadata streams. Private information in page content, attachments, comments, or embedded images is not removed.

### Does sanitizing break hyperlinks or bookmarks?

No. Document structure, interactive hyperlinks, and table-of-contents bookmarks remain fully functional.

### Is this required by courts and government agencies?

Many courts (including US Federal Courts via PACER) and government tender portals strongly advise or mandate sanitizing submitted PDFs to prevent data leaks.

## Limits

- PDF tools: 50 MB per file. Merge: 20 files / 100 MB total / 1000 pages.
- Image tools: 25 MB, 50 MP max. AI tools: 20 MB.
- Rate limits: 20/min per processing route per IP.
- Server-side files are processed ephemerally and purged automatically within 60 minutes.

More tools: https://www.pdfpixels.com/tools — Full machine reference: https://www.pdfpixels.com/llms-full.txt