How to Remove Hidden Metadata from a PDF Before Sharing

When you save a PDF, the file carries more information than just the visible content. Embedded in the file structure is a set of metadata fields that most PDF viewers never show you — but that anyone who opens the raw file or uses the right tool can read instantly.

Before sharing a document externally, it is worth knowing what you are revealing.

What metadata is stored in a PDF

A typical PDF contains two metadata stores: the Info dictionary (a simple key-value store in the file) and an XMP stream (an XML-based block that can contain far more detail). Together they can include:

• Author — the name of the person who created or last edited the document, usually pulled from the OS user account
• Creator and Producer — the software used to create and export the PDF (e.g., Microsoft Word 365, Adobe Acrobat 2023)
• Creation Date and Modification Date — exact timestamps including timezone
• Title and Subject — often auto-populated from the document filename or properties
• Company — your organisation name, embedded by enterprise Office installations
• XMP fields — can include document history, internal identifiers, and revision information depending on the software

Why this matters before you share

Consider a few scenarios where metadata creates an unintended disclosure:

Legal documents. A contract prepared by a law firm contains the author field with the drafting associate's name and the creation timestamp. The opposing party can see exactly when the document was created and by whom — information that was never meant to be disclosed.

Job applications. A CV exported from Word contains your full name in the author field and the company name from your current employer's Office licence — even if you are trying to submit anonymously.

Freelance proposals. A proposal PDF contains the creation date, revealing that you put it together in twenty minutes the night before the deadline.

Healthcare documents. A referral letter generated by practice management software contains internal patient record identifiers in the XMP stream.

How to see the metadata in a PDF

In Adobe Acrobat: File → Properties → Description tab. In macOS Preview: Tools → Show Inspector → the 'i' tab. In most PDF readers, there is a Document Properties or File Information option.

Locdone's Strip PDF Metadata tool shows you all the metadata fields it finds in your document before you strip them, so you can see exactly what is there.

How to strip PDF metadata before sharing

1. Open locdone.com/strip-pdf-metadata
2. Drop your PDF in — the tool reads and displays all metadata fields found
3. Click Strip Metadata to remove the Info dictionary and XMP stream
4. Download the clean file

The process runs entirely in your browser. The original file is never uploaded anywhere. The stripped file retains all visible content — text, images, formatting — with only the hidden metadata removed.

Does stripping metadata affect the document?

No. Metadata is separate from document content. Removing it does not change any text, image, formatting, or interactive element in the PDF. The file will open and display identically — it just will not reveal who created it or when.

One edge case: some enterprise document management systems use metadata fields for tracking and version control. If you are sharing internally within such a system, check whether stripping metadata would break any workflow before doing so.