Flatten PDF
Turn form fields and annotations into fixed page content. Accepts PDF up to 20 MB. Produces flattened PDF. Processing happens locally in your browser.
Input: PDF up to 20 MB ยท Output: flattened PDF
Quality boundary
Complete visual flattening removes interactivity by rebuilding pages as images; selectable text, links, forms, annotations, and existing digital signatures do not survive that mode.
How this file is processed
The file stays on this device during processing. Review the result before consequential use.
Useful next actions
Flatten a PDF online without confusing flattening with compression.
A PDF flattener removes interactive behavior rather than merely reducing file size. Choose form-only flattening when text and vectors should remain, or complete visual flattening when every page must become fixed content.
Choose a mode and check the result
Choose one PDF up to 20 MB. In Flatten mode, select Form fields only to convert AcroForm values into page content while retaining the rest of the PDF structure. Other annotations may remain. Select Complete visual flattening to rebuild pages as images; selectable text, links, interactive forms, and existing digital signatures do not survive that mode.
Check fields, scans, and permissions
After processing, try to click and change the original fields in the output. Compare visible field values, annotations, page count, orientation, small text, and barcodes with the source. A scan is already an image and may have no form fields to flatten. Flattening does not remove passwords, grant editing permission, or guarantee a smaller file.
Choose the flattening mode deliberately
Form-only mode turns AcroForm values into page content while preserving the rest of the PDF structure. Complete visual mode rebuilds every page as an image, removing selectable text, links, forms, annotations, layers, and existing digital signatures. Use the least destructive mode that meets the receiving system's requirement.
Verify what the PDF flattener removed
Open the result in a second viewer and test text selection, links, form controls, comments, and annotations. Compare page count, orientation, fine print, signatures, and barcodes with the source. Keep the original because flattening creates a separate sharing copy and complete visual flattening cannot be reversed.
Quick quality check
- Keep the original PDF
- Choose form-only or complete mode
- Test links and text selection
- Check every interactive field
- Review signatures and fine print