# Flatten PDF Documents

> Flatten PDF form fields, annotations, and layers into a single non-editable document.

Live tool: https://lofttools.com/tools/pdf-tools/flatten-pdf

Category: PDF & Documents

## How it works

1. **Select PDF** — Drop a PDF with form fields or layers, or click to browse
2. **Flatten** — Form fields, annotations, and layers are merged into the page content
3. **Download** — Download your flattened PDF instantly

## FAQ

### What does flattening do?

Flattening converts interactive form fields and annotations into static page content that cannot be edited.

### Does this preserve bookmarks and form fields?

Form fields are intentionally flattened into static page content — that is the point of flattening. Bookmarks and the document outline are kept.

### What PDF versions are supported?

Flattening works on PDF 1.0 through 2.0. Output is bumped to at least 1.5 if the input used non-flattenable transparency groups.

## Privacy

This tool runs entirely in the browser. Files are not uploaded to a server. They never leave the user's device.

## More

- All tools: https://lofttools.com/tools
- Category: https://lofttools.com/tools/pdf-tools
- LLM index: https://lofttools.com/llms.txt