Flatten PDF

Make forms and annotations part of the page for good.

Free, no sign-up. It runs inside your browser: your files never leave your device.

Flatten a PDF so form answers, comments and stamps become part of the page and can no longer be changed. Do this before you send a filled form or a signed document.

How to use Flatten PDF

  1. Drop one or more PDF files on the page.
  2. Under How, choose "Keep text and drawings" or "Turn pages into pictures".
  3. For the first, turn on "Only form fields" to leave comments as they are. For pictures, pick the sharpness and JPEG or PNG.
  4. Click "Flatten".

Questions

Will the text still be searchable?

With "Keep text and drawings", yes: text stays searchable and sharp. With "Turn pages into pictures", text can no longer be searched or copied.

What does "Turn pages into pictures" remove?

Each page is drawn into a brand-new file, so no metadata, layers, scripts, fonts or hidden text come along.

Can I flatten only the form and keep the comments?

Yes. Turn on "Only form fields".

Is my file sent anywhere?

No. Flattening runs in your browser.

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