Flatten PDF
Make form fields and comments part of the page so they cannot be changed.
or drop files here
Runs on your device — your files are not uploaded.
Free: files up to 200 MB · up to 50 files · 15 of 15 free tasks left today. See plans
Flattening a PDF merges its form fields, comments and annotations into the page itself, so what you see stays exactly as it is and can no longer be changed.
How to flatten a PDF in 3 steps
- 1
Choose your PDF files, or drop them anywhere on the page.
- 2
Pick what to flatten: form fields, fields and annotations, or everything.
- 3
Select Flatten PDF, then download the result.
What can Flatten PDF do?
- Form fields only runs in your browser, and your file is not uploaded.
- Fields and annotations turns comments, highlights and stamps into page content.
- Everything turns each page into an image, with a choice of 75 to 220 dpi.
- Optional OCR keeps text searchable after flattening everything.
- Filled-in values stay visible and selectable when you flatten form fields.
- Works on many files at once.
How do I flatten a PDF online?
To flatten a PDF online, add it to Flatten PDF, pick what to flatten and select Flatten PDF; fields and comments become part of the page and can no longer be changed. A filled form is otherwise still editable by whoever receives it. After flattening, the values stay but the fields are gone, and the text remains selectable. If the PDF has no form fields, we tell you and suggest the other modes, without counting a task.
Which flatten option should I choose?
Choose Form fields for a completed form, and Everything when nobody should be able to select or edit anything.
- Form fields is the gentle option and runs on your device.
- Fields and annotations also merges comments, highlights and stamps into the page.
- Everything converts each page into an image, which is useful for printing or archiving a fixed copy.
To delete comments instead of keeping them, use Remove annotations.
Does flattening make the file bigger?
Flattening everything can produce larger files, especially at higher resolutions. Continue with Compress PDF to shrink the result.
Frequently asked questions
What does it mean to flatten a PDF?
Flattening a PDF means merging its interactive parts, such as form fields, comments and annotations, into the page itself. The page looks the same, but those parts can no longer be edited or removed.
How do I flatten a PDF form?
Add the filled-in form to Flatten PDF, keep Form fields and select Flatten PDF. The answers become normal page content, and this mode runs in your browser without uploading the file.
How do I make a PDF non-editable?
Choose Everything in Flatten PDF, which turns each page into an image so nothing underneath can be selected or edited. For a password that blocks editing, use Protect PDF as well, keeping in mind that some PDF apps ignore such restrictions.
Is my file uploaded when I flatten a PDF?
Not when you flatten form fields only, which runs in your browser. The other two modes are processed on our servers, encrypted in transit and deleted after 2 hours.
Will the text stay searchable after flattening?
Yes for form fields and for fields and annotations. Flattening everything turns pages into images, so turn on Keep text searchable if you need to find text afterwards.
Which resolution should I choose to flatten everything?
150 dpi suits most documents. Use 220 dpi for small print, and 75 or 100 dpi for the smallest file.
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Last updated October 23, 2026