β Frequently Asked Questions
What is PDF flattening?
PDF flattening is the process of merging interactive form fields (text boxes, checkboxes, dropdowns) and annotations (comments, highlights) into the page content. After flattening, form data becomes non-editable static content, ensuring consistent display across different PDF readers.
Why should I flatten a PDF?
Common reasons to flatten PDFs: 1) Ensure form data displays consistently across different PDF readers; 2) Prevent others from modifying filled form content; 3) Meet document format requirements from certain institutions; 4) Reduce file size; 5) Improve compatibility and printability.
Can I edit forms after flattening?
No. Flattening is an irreversible operation β form fields are permanently merged into page content. If you need to keep editable forms, please backup the original PDF before flattening.
Is my PDF file secure?
Absolutely. Everything runs locally in your browser using the pdf-lib library. Your files are never uploaded to any server. You can close the page after processing with no traces left behind.
What PDF features are supported?
This tool supports removing interactive form fields (AcroForm) and page annotations. For PDFs containing JavaScript interactions or multimedia content, these interactive features will be removed after flattening.