Flatten PDF Form Fields Before Sharing
Turn interactive form fields into fixed page content before submitting or archiving a PDF. Annotations and signatures are not separately flattened by this tool.
How to flatten a PDF — 3 steps
- 1
Add your PDF
Drop the PDF into the box above. A file can be up to 500 MB and is read in your browser.
- 2
Flatten the form fields
The tool turns interactive form fields into fixed page content through the PDF form API. They are no longer available as fillable fields in the new copy.
- 3
Download the new copy
Download the flattened file and open it once to check the fields. Keep the original editable PDF in case anything needs changing later.
What becomes fixed after flattening
This tool primarily flattens interactive PDF form fields. The values are written into the page content, so the downloaded copy can no longer be filled through those original fields. The visible result is intended to look the same, but it is still worth checking the file before sending it.
Annotations, digital signatures, layers, attachments, and other PDF features are not separately processed by the current form-flattening operation. If your document depends on one of those features, open the result in your usual PDF viewer and confirm that it still behaves as expected.
Flattening is a one-way change to the downloaded copy. Keep the editable source before you start, especially for applications, invoices, approvals, or forms that may need another correction.
Flattening versus protecting a PDF
Flattening changes how the form works: it removes the normal fillable fields from the new copy. Password protection is different. It controls opening the file or changing it, depending on the permissions you set; it does not turn form fields into page content.
You can use both when needed. Flatten the completed form first, then use a protection tool if the file also needs an opening password or editing restrictions. Neither step replaces keeping a safe, editable original.
Your files never leave your device
Completed forms often contain names, addresses, and other private details. This tool processes the PDF in your browser, so the file is not sent to our server.
Most online PDF sites upload your document to their servers, process it there, and keep a copy for minutes, hours, or longer. PilotPDF works differently: the page downloads a small processing engine into your browser, and your file is opened and edited in your device's memory using WebAssembly. Nothing is transmitted, so there is nothing for a server to store, leak, or scan. You can even disconnect from the internet after the page loads and the tool keeps working.
Read more about how this works in our privacy-by-design explainer.