Flatten a PDF
A filled-in PDF form keeps its answers in fields that anyone can click and change, and comments float on top of the page the same way. Flattening draws them into the page exactly as they look now and removes the editable layer, so the form you send is the form they read. Text stays sharp and selectable; nothing is turned into a picture.
Also known as: flatten PDF form · lock PDF form fields · PDF flattener
Encrypted upload · deleted right after conversion
Your files are deleted automatically
Uploads are removed as soon as processing finishes, and converted files are deleted after 1 hour. Read our privacy policy.
How to flatten a PDF
Step 1
1. Add your PDF file
Drag your PDF file into the box, or choose it from your device. It can be up to 95 MB.
Step 2
2. Choose your settings
Adjust Flatten (Form fields and comments), or keep the starting values in brackets, which suit most files.
Step 3
3. Press Flatten PDF
The work happens on our servers, and you can follow its progress.
Step 4
4. Download your PDF file
Your upload is already deleted, and the result is deleted after one hour.
Worth knowing
Flattening cannot be undone in the file it produces — keep your original if you may need to change an answer. The note inside a sticky-note comment is not kept, only its icon, and a digital signature still shows but no longer verifies. Password-protected PDFs are refused; Unlock PDF removes the password first (a PDF that only restricts printing or copying unlocks without one).
Why flatten a PDF?
- Sending a completed application or tax form that should not be changed
- Making sure a form shows the same answers in every PDF viewer
- Locking in highlights and markup before sharing a reviewed document
- Preparing a filled-in form for printing or archiving
What changes
| Property | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Form fields | Editable by anyone | Part of the page |
| Comments | Can be moved or deleted | Part of the page |
| Looks | As filled in | Exactly the same |
| Text | Selectable | Still selectable |
Frequently asked questions
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