Flatten PDF
Flatten AcroForm fields and optionally rasterize visible annotations
About this tool
Flatten PDF offers two explicit output modes. Preserve vectors updates field appearances and writes AcroForm widgets into the page content with pdf-lib, while ordinary links and comments remain interactive. Full visual flatten first flattens form fields, then renders every page with PDF.js annotation support and rebuilds a PDF from page images, so visible fields and annotations can no longer be edited. The visual mode intentionally gives up searchable text, vector fidelity, and link interaction. Files never leave the browser and the original should always be retained for comparison.
Scenario Recipes
Prepare a filled form for archival
Goal: Keep visible values while preventing accidental edits
- Open the completed AcroForm and review the field count.
- Choose Preserve vectors when text search and PDF fidelity matter.
- Choose Full visual flatten only when visible annotations must also stop being interactive, then compare the output with the original.
Result: A clearly scoped non-editable copy with the tradeoff recorded.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the two modes?
Preserve vectors keeps text and graphics as PDF content but leaves regular annotations interactive; Full visual flatten converts each rendered page to an image.
Will the output still contain selectable text?
Only Preserve vectors mode keeps selectable text. Full visual flatten is image-based by design.
Does flattening change form values?
It writes the current field appearances into page content, so the displayed values remain visible but fields cannot be edited.
Are links flattened?
Preserve vectors keeps links. Full visual flatten renders their visible appearance but removes link interaction.
Can I flatten XFA forms?
No. This browser workflow targets AcroForm fields and does not promise XFA compatibility.
Is my PDF uploaded?
No. PDF loading, form flattening, rendering, and download creation happen locally.
Keep browsing