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Flatten PDF Documents

Flatten a PDF in your browser so form fields, signatures, and annotations bake into static page content no tool can edit later. Bookmarks survive. No upload.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does flattening do?

Flattening converts interactive form fields and annotations into static page content that cannot be edited. The form and its values are removed from the file, and page text stays selectable. A page with something only a viewer can draw, such as a hidden layer or a field in a script the standard font lacks, is redrawn as an image so it looks the same.

Does this preserve bookmarks and form fields?

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

What PDF versions are supported?

Flattening works on PDF 1.0 through 2.0, and on a PDF that only restricts editing. A PDF that needs a password to open has to go through Unlock PDF first.

Tool history

Updated Nov 4, 2026 · 2 updates
  • Nov 4, 2026fixflatten forms and comments into the page and keep the rest of the document
  • Nov 4, 2026fixrestore the page's search keywords in its spec
See full history →
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