How to use the PDF Metadata Editor tool
- Choose a PDF. Its current metadata appears in the form below within a moment.
- Edit the fields you want to change: title, author, subject, keywords, creator, producer and the created and modified dates.
- Press Save changes to write them into a new copy, or Remove all metadata to blank every field.
- Download the new PDF and, if you like, open it in a viewer to confirm in Document Properties.
Worked example: cleaning a proposal before sending it
proposal.pdf was exported from a word processor. The form shows 6 filled fields: Title C:\Users\jsmith\Drafts\proposal v3, Author Jane Smith, Subject, Keywords internal, pricing, Creator and Producer, plus created and modified dates. It also has an XMP packet.
Press Remove all metadata. In the saved copy, all 8 fields read empty when you open it again here, and the XMP packet is gone. The page count and page content are the same as before. To publish the file instead, type a clean title such as Website Redesign Proposal and save, so search results show a proper name.
What is inside a PDF
Beside the pages, a PDF stores an information dictionary with a title, author, subject, keywords, the program that created the content, the library that produced the file, and creation and modification dates. Many programs fill these automatically, so a document can carry a colleague’s name, an internal file path in the title or the exact time you exported it. Search engines also use the title field, which is why setting a proper title is worth doing for PDFs you publish.
Editing, clearing and XMP
Leave a field empty to remove it. Remove all metadata clears every entry in the information dictionary. Some files also contain an XMP packet, a second XML copy of the same facts; because it could contradict your edits, saving here removes it, and the tool tells you when one was present. Page content is untouched. Note that metadata is only one place where identity can hide: text on the pages, embedded images and file names can also identify you, and this tool does not alter them.
Your files stay on your device
The metadata is read and written by pdf-lib in a background worker inside your browser. The file stays on your device, which is important here because a document you are cleaning of personal details should not be uploaded to anyone first.
Frequently asked questions
Does removing metadata remove the author from the page text?
No. It clears the properties stored in the file, not text that appears on the pages. Use Redact PDF to remove names from the pages themselves.
Why is the Producer field set to something I did not type?
When you save, empty fields are removed, and the producer is whatever you enter. If you leave Producer empty, none is stored.
What is XMP metadata?
It is an XML description of the document that some programs add next to the standard fields. This tool removes it when saving so it cannot disagree with your edits.
Can I change the dates?
Yes. Use the created and modified fields. Clear a field to store no date.
Will the file be re-compressed?
No. Pages are not redrawn, though the file is re-saved so its size can change slightly.