Flatten a PDF
Turn filled-in form fields and annotations into regular page content, so they can no longer be changed and print exactly as shown.
How it works
How to flatten a PDF
- 1
Open your PDF.
- 2
Choose to flatten form fields, annotations or both.
- 3
Click Flatten PDF and download.
Features
Why use our Flatten PDF tool
Forms
Filled-in text fields, checkboxes and dropdowns become static content.
Annotations
Comments, stamps and drawings with appearances are burned in.
Honest
If there's nothing to flatten, we tell you instead of producing a copy.
Guide
About Flatten PDF
A filled-in form remains editable: anyone can change the values, and some viewers or printers don't show form fields or comments at all. Flattening burns the current appearance of fields and annotations into the page itself.
Links are kept, hidden annotations are removed, and if a PDF has nothing to flatten you'll be told rather than handed an identical copy.
Tips for best results
- Flatten after signing to make sure the signature and filled fields can't be altered.
- Keep an unflattened copy if you might need to edit the form again.
- Combine with Protect PDF to restrict editing even further.
How your file stays on your device
Flatten PDF runs entirely inside your web browser. When you choose a file, your browser reads it into memory on your own device, a background Web Worker does the processing, and the result is handed straight back to you as a download. There is no upload step, no server that receives your document and no copy kept anywhere — close the tab and it is gone. That makes it safe for contracts, IDs, medical letters and anything else you would rather not send to a stranger's server. How in-browser processing works
FAQ
Flatten PDF: frequently asked questions
Why flatten a PDF?
Flattening prevents further edits to filled forms and ensures annotations display the same in every viewer and printer.
Are my files uploaded to a server?
No. Flattening happens entirely inside your browser using JavaScript and WebAssembly. Your files never leave your device, and nothing is stored after you close the tab.
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