Flatten PDF
How to flatten a PDF
- Click the box above or drop your PDF onto it. The number of form fields and annotations is shown.
- Leave "Flatten form fields" ticked to turn the filled answers into part of the page. Tick the second box to drop comments and highlights as well.
- Click Flatten and download the file.
Frequently asked questions
What does flattening do?
A filled form keeps the answers in separate interactive fields, which anyone can click and change. Flattening draws them onto the page and removes the fields, so the document reads the same everywhere and can no longer be edited by filling it in again.
Is a flattened PDF secure?
It stops accidental edits and makes the file display consistently, but it is not protection. Anyone with an editor can still alter a page. For that, add a password with Protect PDF or sign the document.
Does it flatten a signature?
A drawn or image signature placed in a form field is flattened into the page. A cryptographic digital signature is different: flattening will invalidate it, so leave signed documents alone.
Nothing happened. Why?
If the file has no form fields there is nothing to flatten; the status line says so. Scanned documents and exported files usually have none.
Is my PDF uploaded?
No. Everything happens inside your browser, so your files never leave your device and nothing is stored on a server.