Tutorial•5 min read
How to Flatten PDF Form Fields
Make your filled forms permanent and secure
PDF forms are great for collecting information, but once filled, you often need to share them in a non-editable format. Flattening a PDF converts all form fields into static content, preventing any modifications.
This guide shows you how to flatten PDF forms instantly and optionally remove sensitive metadata like author name and creation dates.
Why Flatten PDF Forms?
When you fill out a PDF form, the data remains editable. This creates several problems:
• Anyone can modify the form data after you've signed it
• PDF metadata reveals who created the document and when
• Form fields can look different on different PDF readers
• Some systems don't accept PDFs with active form fields
Flattening solves all these issues by "burning in" the form data, making it part of the page itself.
How to Flatten Your PDF
- 1Open our PDF Flatten tool (link below)
- 2Upload your filled PDF form
- 3Choose your options: flatten forms, remove metadata, or both
- 4Click "Flatten & Secure"
- 5Download your protected PDF
Secure Your PDF Now
Use our free PDF Flatten tool to secure your documents. 100% private - processing happens in your browser.
Flatten PDF NowPro Tips
- Always keep a backup of the original editable form
- Use "Remove Metadata" to strip author information before sharing
- Flattened PDFs are perfect for official submissions
- This works great for contracts, applications, and tax forms