Sanitize PDF
Strip metadata, annotations, scripts, and hidden data.
About Sanitize PDF
What PDF Sanitization Does
PDFs carry more than visible content. Metadata fields store the author’s name, creation software, edit timestamps, and GPS data from scanning apps. Annotations contain comments and markup. Embedded JavaScript can execute code when the file opens.
Sanitizing strips that hidden layer. You choose what to remove: metadata, annotations, JavaScript — or all three. The tool processes the PDF structure directly, deleting the chosen entries without altering the visible pages.
Why Sanitize Before Sharing
Hidden data in PDFs has caused real problems. Author names in anonymous submissions, GPS coordinates in scanned documents, JavaScript that triggers unwanted behavior.
Strip Author Identity
Remove creator name, software version, and edit history before sharing a document that should be anonymous.
Remove Embedded Scripts
JavaScript in PDFs can open URLs, submit data, or trigger actions on open. Stripping it eliminates that attack surface.
Clear Annotations & Comments
Internal review comments, sticky notes, and markup can accidentally ship with the final document. Sanitize removes them.
Compliance & FOIA Prep
GDPR, FOIA, and internal policies often require scrubbing metadata before public release or document disclosure.
How It Compares
Metadata removal features exist in some PDF editors, but dedicated sanitization with JavaScript stripping is less common.
| Feature | OxygenPDF | Adobe Acrobat | Sejda |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strip metadata (author, dates, etc.) | |||
| Remove annotations | |||
| Remove embedded JavaScript | |||
| Selective removal (pick categories) | |||
| No file upload required | Desktop only | ||
| Free to use | Limited |
Sanitization Runs Locally
If you’re stripping metadata to protect identity or comply with a regulation, uploading the un-sanitized file to a third-party server defeats the purpose. The metadata you want removed is exposed during transit.
OxygenPDF processes the file in your browser. The unsanitized document never leaves your device. The cleaned result is generated locally and downloads straight to your machine.
Sanitize PDF: Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this tool and how it works.
Free Forever
Pro
$9 one-time