Flatten PDF Online
Keep a filled form’s visible answers in place before sharing.
Make a filled PDF ready to share. Choose which parts should become static, then compare the saved copy. Up to 50 MB and 100 pages. Signed and XFA forms are not supported.
Flattening does not prevent future editing or securely remove sensitive information. Need to add answers first? Use Fill & sign PDF.
Choose what should become static in your PDF
Form fields only copies existing field appearances into the pages and removes their interactive controls. Use it after completing and saving a form. Existing page text stays selectable, links stay clickable, and other annotations are left in place. Missing appearances and forms marked as needing a refresh are rejected instead of guessing how the answers should look.
Visible pages saves the displayed pages as images, including visible form values and supported annotations. It removes text selection, interactive fields, links and annotation editing. Closed comment contents, attachments, hidden layers and accessibility tags are not carried over. Image pages use up to 150 DPI, capped at 8 megapixels or 4,096 pixels per side.
Compare the downloaded PDF with the original, including checkmarks and multi-line answers. This is a convenience for sharing or printing, not a restriction against all future editing and not a secure redaction tool. Keep the original if you may need to change an answer.
Need to add answers or a visible signature first? Use Sign PDF, then return with the completed copy. Certificate signature fields and XFA forms are not supported here. Save or print those from the application that created them.
Best for: People sharing a completed application, checklist or invoice whose saved field values should appear consistently.
How to use Flatten PDF
- Choose an unlocked PDF up to 50 MB and 100 pages, or try the filled form sample.
- Choose Form fields only to keep text and links, or Visible pages to create static image pages. Read the selected mode’s limits.
- Flatten, compare the preview and download a copy. Open the saved file to check answers, checkboxes and page orientation.
Frequently asked questions
Does flattening make a PDF impossible to edit?
No. It removes the selected kind of interactivity. A PDF editor may still change page content. Flattening does not securely erase sensitive information or enforce a no-editing policy.
Will text, links and comments be preserved?
Form fields only keeps existing page text, links and other annotations. Visible pages creates images, so text selection and links are lost; only the displayed appearance is kept, not hidden comment text or attachments.
Can I flatten a signed PDF?
PDFs containing certificate signature fields are rejected. Use an unsigned original if you need to change the document; flattening does not preserve certificate validity.
Why did my form fail to flatten?
Its saved appearance may be missing or out of date, or it may use an unsupported field or XFA form. Open and save it in its original PDF editor first. The tool does not create a partially flattened result.
What if the PDF has no form fields?
It may already be static. Form fields only reports that nothing was found. Use Visible pages only if you also want to remove annotation interactivity and accept image-based output.
Can I fill in the PDF here?
Use Sign PDF to place visible text and signatures first. That workflow adds answers on the page; it does not create new interactive form fields. Return here if you need to flatten the completed copy.