Guide
Remove metadata from PDF files
PDF files can include hidden details you never intended to share. This guide explains what PDF metadata is, why it matters, and how to remove it in a repeatable way.
You can use these steps for contracts, proposals, reports, resumes, client handoffs, and internal documents. The process is simple and only takes a minute once you build the habit.
What PDF metadata includes
A PDF is not just visible pages. It also has hidden document properties that can expose context about the file and the person or app that produced it.
Common identity fields
- Author name
- Organization
- Custom tags or comments
Common workflow fields
- Creator app and producer software
- Create and modify timestamps
- Document identifiers and revision hints
Not every PDF contains every field. The key point is that you cannot assume a file is clean just because the page content looks harmless.
Why this matters in real life
Hidden metadata can create avoidable problems. A public report can unintentionally reveal who drafted it. A bid document can expose internal timelines. A legal file can carry old author details from a template.
None of these issues happen because someone hacked your file. They happen because metadata is easy to forget. Removing it before sharing is a low-effort safeguard.
Teams that handle sensitive information often treat metadata scrubbing the same way they treat spell-checking: a final quality step before anything leaves the building.
Step-by-step instructions
- Open your metadata remover tool and choose the PDF you want to share.
- Run metadata cleanup to strip hidden document properties.
- Download the cleaned PDF to a new filename.
- Use the cleaned file for email, uploads, and client delivery.
- If you edit the file again, repeat the scrub on the final export before sharing.
Tip: naming convention helps. Save files with a suffix like "-clean" so you can quickly identify safe versions.
Limits and edge cases to know
Visible text is separate
Metadata scrubbing does not edit text inside PDF pages. If a page body includes a name, address, or internal comment, remove it in the source document first.
Templates can reintroduce metadata
Some document templates carry author defaults. Even if one file is clean, a new export may add metadata again, so keep scrubbing as the final step.
Privacy guarantee
scrub.media runs in the browser and processes files on-device. Your PDFs are never uploaded, which is useful for confidential or regulated documents.
Frequently asked questions
Can I remove metadata without changing the PDF content?
Yes. Metadata cleaning removes hidden document properties while leaving the visible pages intact.
Why does metadata come back after editing?
Many editors write fresh metadata when you save or export. Run a final scrub on the file you actually plan to share.
Is on-device PDF metadata removal safer?
It is usually safer for sensitive files because the document is processed locally in your browser and never uploaded.
Should I scrub every PDF I send?
If the file contains private business or personal information, yes. It is a simple habit that prevents accidental leaks.