How to Delete Metadata from PDF Files?
Introduction: A few years ago, the term “metadata” was not widely known by the general public, but it is today a hot topic. Those that understand the significance of metadata in their files tend to remove it in order to protect themselves against digital scam artists. Many users of different file types, such those of PDF files, prefer to remove Metadata before sharing their files. This article will be very helpful to you if you belong to that group of users and wish to delete metadata from PDF.
Description, publisher, date of creation, date of update, issue, program used to produce the PDF file, size of the PDF file, the total number of pages in the PDF file, and all tags connected with the file are examples of metadata that can be found in PDF files. If these metadata attributes fall into the hands of the wrong yet intelligent person, they can be exploited and used to trap you. The sole course of action in this circumstance is to remove all metadata from PDF.
Why Remove All Metadata from PDF
- Protect Privacy: Metadata in PDFs often contain sensitive information. Removing it protects individuals and organizations by preventing unintended exposure to data.
- Information Security: Cyber criminals can exploit metadata in PDFs. Removing it reduces the risk of security breaches and enhances document security.
- Professionalism: Clean, simple metadata enhances the professionalism of your documents, and is essential in business, legal, or academic contexts.
- Collaboration Efficiency: Removing metadata simplifies collaboration and reduces clutter and confusion among collaborators.
- Regulatory Compliance: Regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) enforce data protection. Removing Meta helps compliance by reducing the risk of data exposure.
These are some of the advantages to remove metadata from PDF. Now, let’s take a look at all the possible ways to remove PDF metadata.
How to Delete Metadata from PDF?
In essence, there are three methods to remove complete metadata from PDF files.
- Adobe Acrobat DC
- Adobe Acrobat X
- An Automatic solution
You use either the Adobe Acrobat application or professional software. Please read about each strategy that we have covered below.
Method 1: Adobe Acrobat DC
- Open Adobe Acrobat DC. Select ‘File’ > ‘Properties,’ then the Description tab, followed by Additional Metadata.
- Select ‘Advanced’ from the left-hand menu.
To add the current information from a template, hold down Command (Mac) or Ctrl (Windows), then select a name for the template. However, if you want to replace the metadata with a template, you must choose an XMP template file. It’ll be in the top right corner of the conversation box menu.
- Select a template file (XMP) from the dialog box’s menu in the top right corner to replace the existing information with a template of metadata.
Method 2: Adobe Acrobat X
- Open the PDF file, then choose “Document” and “Examine Document.” Await the conclusion of the test.
- Select “remove” if any information is displayed in the search results after the search.
- Save the PDF document.
So that’s how to delete metadata from PDF file using Adobe Acrobat. This manual method appears to be very difficult and sophisticated. As a result, if you want a more straightforward method to remove PDF metadata, consider our following option.
An Automatic Way to Delete Complete Metadata from PDF
PCDOTS Metadata Eraser Tool is the ideal solution to remove all metadata from PDF files. Unlike the manual solutions, this software allows you to metadata from multiple PDF files at the same time while preserving other content. Its easy to use and useful for both technical and non-technical users.
This software is cost effective and you can download it from the above button. You may get its free version and can try its capabilities for free at first.
Why Should You Use PDF Metadata Remover Tool?
- Delete Metadata from PDF in Batch: The application helps you to delete metadata from huge number of PDF files at once. By using the demo version, the performance of this program is merely limited. Once you have obtained the license key, you may batch remove all metadata from PDF without restriction.
- Delete at Your Discretion: Even if you have added a large number of PDF files or folders to the tool, you will have the option to filter them before removing the metadata. You can choose which files from the whole PDF folders to erase metadata from. You merely need to check and uncheck the files in the tool’s left pane.
- Search Function: This tool is ideal if you need to discover a certain file among a large number of PDF files or folders. The suggested application to remove metadata from PDF files includes a search function. This search function allows you to locate a specific PDF file or any content contained inside it.
- Compatibility: The application is only available for the Microsoft Windows operating system. With Windows OS versions 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, and below, you can use the software to delete all metadata from PDF files.
In Conclusion
If you are concerned that the metadata in your PDF files will be misused, you must remove it. We have provided you with an excellent solution to batch remove metadata from PDF files while maintaining the original file structure. The suggested PCDOTS solution is ideal for removing metadata attributes from PDF files in bulk. It is free and may be obtained by the link provided above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: How do I view metadata in a PDF document?
A: You can view the metadata in a PDF by right-clicking the file, selecting “Properties” and going to the “Details” tab. Alternatively, you can use dedicated PDF metadata viewer tools.
Question 2: : What are the common tools or methods to remove metadata from PDF?
A: You can remove PDF metadata using tools such as Adobe Acrobat, or PDF metadata remover.
Question 3: Can Adobe Acrobat wipe metadata from many PDFs at once?
A: No, the Adobe Acrobat application can only erase metadata from a single file. Use professional software to delete metadata from PDF files in mass.
Question 4: Why should I use the software over Adobe Acrobat to delete all metadata from PDF files?
It takes a lot of time and is quite technical to scrub metadata from PDF using Adobe Acrobat. On the other hand, the tool is totally autonomous and has the ability to bulk remove PDF metadata.
Question 5: How many PDF files’ metadata can I delete all at once?
A: You may remove metadata from an unlimited number of PDF files simultaneously with our software.
Question 6: Is there any limitation to the PDF metadata remover?
A: The only constraint you will encounter is in the application’s free edition. You can remove metadata from PDF indefinitely after purchasing the full version.
