How to remove author metadata from a pdf document
- Step 1Upload the PDF to scrub — Drop the document into the metadata scrubber.
- Step 2Select Author and Creator fields — Choose which metadata fields to clear.
- Step 3Scrub the metadata — The tool removes the selected fields from the PDF's document information dictionary.
- Step 4Download the scrubbed PDF — Verify the metadata is cleared using a PDF viewer's Document Properties panel.
Frequently asked questions
How do I verify the author has been removed?+
In Adobe Acrobat Reader, go to File > Properties > Description. The Author field should be blank after scrubbing.
Does scrubbing also remove the author from tracked changes?+
Metadata scrubbing targets document properties. Tracked change annotations may still contain reviewer names — use the Annotation Remover tool to clear those.
Will clients be able to see who created the document?+
After scrubbing, the Author field is empty. Some tools may still display the creating application (e.g., 'Microsoft Word') but personal names are removed.
Privacy first
All PDF processing runs locally in your browser using PDF-lib and pdf.js. No file is ever uploaded — only metadata counters are saved for signed-in dashboard stats.