Flattening PDF Forms
Got a filled-out PDF form that you don't want people editing? This converts all the interactive fields into static content. Text fields, checkboxes, dropdowns, signatures - everything becomes permanent and non-editable. Values stay exactly as they are, just nobody can change them anymore. Good for job applications before submitting, tax forms, medical records, contracts, anything where you want to lock in the answers.
In-browser processing. Document never uploads to a server.
Upload
- Click upload. Pick your PDF with forms.
- Tool analyzes it and detects all form fields.
- Progress indicator shows it scanning through.
Review Fields
- After analysis, see what it found:
- Total field count broken down by type (color-coded):
- Text fields (blue) - text inputs
- Checkboxes (green)
- Radio buttons (purple)
- Dropdowns (orange)
- List boxes (pink)
- Signatures (red)
- Shows if fields are filled or empty, required or optional.
- Stats on total fields, filled fields, required fields, which pages have forms.
Flattening Mode
- Pick how you want to flatten:
- Flatten All: Every field becomes static. Most common option.
- Filled Only: Only locks fields that have values. Empty ones stay editable.
- Selected Fields: Manually pick which ones to flatten.
- Except Selected: Flatten everything except what you pick.
- Secure preset: Max security - flattens everything, removes structures, compresses.
- Preview preset: Flattens for appearance but keeps some functionality.
Select Fields (Optional)
- If using selective flattening:
- Click individual field tiles to select/deselect.
- "Select All" or "Clear All" for bulk selection.
- Filter by type to select categories.
- Search for specific fields by name.
- Switch between grid and list views.
- Can edit field values before flattening if needed.
Preview
- Click Preview to see how it'll look:
- Fields getting flattened show green.
- Fields staying interactive show blue.
- Navigate pages to check everything.
- Hover fields for details.
Advanced Settings (Optional)
- Click Advanced for more control:
- Text fields: Font, size, color, alignment, opacity
- Checkboxes: Style (✓, ✗, or ●), color, size
- Signatures: Convert to text, keep as image, or remove
- Security: Password protection, remove metadata, encryption level
- Optimization: Compress output, optimize images
Flatten and Download
- Hit "Flatten PDF Forms".
- Progress bar shows percentage.
- Converts selected fields:
- Text values become regular PDF text
- Checkboxes become static marks
- Dropdowns become fixed text
- Downloads as "filename-flattened.pdf".
- Looks identical but fields aren't editable anymore.
What Gets Flattened:
- Text inputs become permanent text.
- Checkboxes become static marks or empty boxes.
- Radio buttons become permanent selections.
- Dropdowns show selected option as text, dropdown removed.
- Signatures handled per your settings.
- Form structures eliminated if enabled.
- JavaScript removed since fields aren't interactive.
Common Uses:
- Job applications before submitting.
- Tax returns to prevent changes.
- Medical forms for records.
- Contracts to prevent tampering.
- Survey responses for archiving.
- Government forms before submission.
Other Stuff:
- In-browser: All processing happens client-side using PDF.js and pdf-lib.
- Visual preservation: Looks exactly like filled form. Only editability removed.
- Universal compatibility: Works in all PDF readers.
- Selective control: Pick exactly which fields to flatten.
Upload, pick flattening mode, process, download. Turns interactive forms into locked documents where nobody can edit your answers.