Flatten PDF
Make the form fields and comments of a PDF part of its pages, or its pages images, so they can't be changed, in your browser
Drop a PDF here
Or choose one, it's flattened in your browser and never uploaded
How to flatten a PDF
- Drop your PDF on the page or choose it; its form fields and comments are counted.
- Choose Forms and comments to make them part of the pages, or Pages as images to make every page an image.
- For pages as images, pick 150 DPI for screens or 300 DPI for printing.
- Save the flattened PDF.
Questions
What does flattening a PDF do?
It makes what can be changed part of the page. Filled form fields stop being fields and comments, highlights and stamps stop being separate notes: they're drawn on the pages exactly as they look, so nobody can change or remove them in a PDF viewer.
How do I make a PDF uneditable?
Choose Pages as images: every page becomes a picture of itself, so its text can't be edited, selected or copied. The file is usually larger and its text can't be searched, so Forms and comments is better when you only need to lock a filled form.
Will my filled form keep its answers?
Yes. The fields are drawn as they are filled; empty fields stay empty boxes. To fill a form first, use Fill PDF Forms, which can also flatten it when saving.
Is the quality kept?
With Forms and comments the pages aren't changed: the text stays sharp and selectable and links keep working. Pages as images draws them at 150 or 300 DPI, sharp on screen and in print.
Is my PDF uploaded?
No. It's flattened by your browser, on your device, and never sent anywhere. A password protected PDF asks for its password.