Private PDF tool

Make a PDF static without uploading it.

Flatten a PDF on this device by locking supported forms and annotations into searchable page content or rebuilding every page as a non-searchable image. Inspect scripts, layers, metadata, and XFA first, then download a separate validated copy. Flattening is not secure redaction, can increase file size, invalidates signature expectations, and may not preserve every interactive or specialized feature.

Drop a PDF here

Forms, annotations, scripts, layers, metadata, and XFA are checked in this browser. Your original file is never changed.

Choose a PDF

Settings

Choose what “flatten” means

Searchability, privacy, fidelity, and file size change materially between modes.

Standard · Vector-preservingLocks supported forms and annotations into the page while keeping native text searchable. Source metadata, scripts, and layers are retained.SearchableVector contentUsually smallestFull rasterRebuilds every page as a static image. Text is no longer searchable and interactive structures are removed.Non-searchableJPEG rasterBroad compatibilityStrip + FlattenUses full raster flattening and verifies supported document metadata values are removed from the new copy.Non-searchableMetadata removedJPEG rasterStealthMaximum supported anonymization: fresh image-only pages, metadata removal, and lossless raster output at 200 DPI or higher.LosslessMetadata removedMinimum 200 DPI

Standard uses native PDF vectors and text. The 150 DPI reference describes the default compatibility profile; no page raster is created.

A new file is created. Stealth is not true redaction, guaranteed forensic erasure, or a legal anonymity guarantee.

Your original PDF remains untouched

Inspection, rendering, flattening, metadata cleanup, validation, and reopening happen in this browser tab. PdfEditorOnlineFree creates a new output file and never overwrites the source. After the page and PDF engine are loaded, document bytes are not sent to an upload service.

Four distinct modes

Choose compatibility, image-only output, or stronger privacy.

“Flatten” can mean preserving native PDF content or replacing it with pixels. The tool names the tradeoff before processing so searchability, fidelity, metadata, and file-size changes are never hidden.

Standard stays searchable

The vector-preserving default locks supported form widgets and annotations into page content while retaining native searchable text. The 150 DPI value is a compatibility reference, not raster resolution.

Full is non-searchable

Full raster renders each page into a static image and rebuilds a fresh PDF. Choose 96, 150, 200, 300, or 400 DPI to balance speed, memory, small-text fidelity, and output size.

Strip removes metadata

Strip + Flatten uses the same image-only Full pipeline and verifies supported title, author, subject, keyword, creator, producer, and date values are absent from the result.

Stealth starts at 200 DPI

Stealth creates lossless image-only pages at 200, 300, or 400 DPI, removes supported metadata values, and copies no source scripts or layers into the fresh document.

How to flatten a PDF

Inspect first, process locally, verify before download.

1
Choose one PDF. PdfEditorOnlineFree inspects page count, forms, annotations, document scripts, best-effort layer markers, metadata values, and XFA.
2
Choose Standard, Full, Strip + Flatten, or Stealth. For raster modes, select the DPI that fits your fidelity and memory needs.
3
Flatten locally with visible page and stage progress. Cancel safely or Retry after an error without selecting the source again.
4
Review the reopened first page, searchability and metadata status, and original-versus-output size before downloading the separate PDF.

XFA requires Full raster

Dynamic XFA forms are not safely handled by Standard vector-preserving flattening. When XFA is detected, Full is the minimum supported mode and Standard is blocked.

Layer detection is best-effort

The stable browser engine does not expose every optional-content structure. PdfEditorOnlineFree reports detected markers honestly instead of promising that an unreported hidden layer cannot exist.

Stealth is not true redaction

Stealth is maximum supported anonymization for this tool. It does not prove forensic erasure, remove visible sensitive content, restore an already shared file, or provide a legal anonymity guarantee.

Frequently asked questions

Will Standard keep text selectable?

Yes, when the source has native text. Standard keeps the page’s vector and text content and validates that searchable characters remain after forms and annotations are flattened.

Why can a flattened PDF be larger?

Raster pages store pixels instead of compact text and vector commands. Higher DPI increases pixel count quickly. The result shows exact input/output sizes and the percentage change.

Does Full remove metadata?

Full rebuilds page content but is not the explicit metadata mode. Choose Strip + Flatten or Stealth when verified supported metadata-value removal is part of the goal.

What happens to digital signatures?

Any modified copy can invalidate existing certificate-backed signatures. Keep the original for verification and treat the flattened result as a separate compatibility or privacy copy.

Continue your workflow

These available PdfEditorOnlineFree tools are connected to flatten pdf by the tool catalog.