Flatten PDF
Flatten PDF form fields so entered values become part of the page. Include comments, shapes, and other annotations with an appearance.
Processed in your browser. Heavy files marked “server” are uploaded only if you agree, and are deleted automatically.
Add one or more PDFs. The summary for each shows form fields, annotation types, annotations without an appearance, bookmarks, attachments, and XFA forms.
Choose “Forms” to flatten fields in your browser without uploading. Visible fields and their values are drawn onto the pages, while text stays selectable. Click “Flatten PDF” to start.
To include annotations, choose “Forms and annotations.” Form fields are flattened on your device first, then files are uploaded over a secure connection so annotations with an appearance can be merged into the pages. Click “Upload and flatten.” The original is deleted right after processing, and the result is deleted automatically after its storage period.
Process up to 10 PDFs at once and apply the same settings to all files. Download each PDF separately or get a ZIP for multiple files.
File limits depend on the mode. Forms has no site file-size limit, though available device memory still matters. Forms and annotations supports files up to 50 MB and 200 pages for guests, or up to 100 MB and 500 pages for registered users.
Use “Keep links clickable” to choose whether clickable links remain active in the result. Flattening does not make a PDF completely non-editable or turn pages into images. Text remains selectable, and bookmarks and attachments are kept. XFA forms, PDF layers, encrypted files, and annotations without an appearance are not flattened. Unlock password-protected or restricted PDFs with Unlock PDF first. The tool is free, requires no registration, and adds no watermark.
FAQ
What happens if a PDF has no form fields?
In “Forms” mode, the tool reports that there are no form fields to flatten and suggests choosing “Forms and annotations” if you want annotations merged into the pages. If the file also has no annotations with an appearance, there is nothing to flatten.
Can annotations without an appearance be flattened?
No. They are listed in the file summary and are not embedded, so they stay as they were. The tool can merge comments, shapes, and other annotations only when they have an appearance.
Can I flatten an XFA form or a password-protected PDF?
XFA forms are not supported and the file will be skipped. Password-protected or restricted PDFs cannot be opened directly because there is no password field, so unlock the file with “Unlock PDF” first.
What is the output file called?
Each processed file is provided as a PDF named with “-flattened” added to its original name. When you process multiple files, a ZIP archive named “flattened-pdf.zip” is also offered.