How do I remove hidden data like comments and attachments from my PDF?

Open your PDF in Acrobat. Go to 'All tools' > 'Redact a PDF'. Select 'Sanitize document'. Click 'Remove all' to strip hidden content like comments, bookmarks, attachments, and form fields.

What is the difference between Redaction and Sanitize Document in Adobe Acrobat?

Feature What it does What it removes. Redaction Hides visible text and images permanently. Visible text, graphics, and images. Sanitize Document Removes all invisible data layers. Metadata, embedded content, scripts, comments, bookmarks, attachments, form fields, AI content.

Why is it important to sanitize a PDF document before sharing it publicly?

It is important to sanitize a PDF to prevent accidental leaks of private information. Documents often contain hidden data like author names, creation dates, or even deleted text that is still embedded. Sanitizing ensures this invisible data is removed, protecting your privacy and compliance.

If I only use the Redact tool, can my PDF still leak sensitive information?

Yes, if you only use the Redact tool, your PDF can still leak sensitive information. Redaction only handles visible text and images. It does not remove hidden layers like metadata, comments, or scripts. You must use the Sanitize Document feature in addition to redaction for full security.

What kind of invisible data does Sanitize Document remove from a PDF?

Metadata (like author and creation date) Embedded content (like hidden images or objects) Scripts and actions Comments and markups Bookmarks and attachments Form fields AI content tags

Create a custom Acrobat Action for repeated sanitization tas — How-to & AI prompts

AI prompts

3 ways to ask · copy any one

AExecute — “help me do it”Show me how to make an Acrobat Action that removes hidden...…+

Show me how to create a custom Acrobat Action that removes hidden information and sanitizes PDF files for [describe your purpose or group].

when the reply comes backWant tips for checking if your files are really clean?

BImprove — “do it better”How can I improve my Acrobat sanitization Action to catch...…+

How can I improve my Acrobat sanitization Action to catch more types of hidden or sensitive data in my PDFs for [describe your use case]?

when the reply comes backNeed help sharing your Action with teammates?

CDecide — “help me choose”Help me choose which sanitization steps to include in my...…+

Help me choose which sanitization steps I should include in my Acrobat Action for [describe your situation, like school, office, or sharing online].

when the reply comes backCurious about what kinds of data can hide in PDFs?

How to do it

the tool · the steps · what to avoid

1
Open a PDF file in Adobe Acrobat Pro.
2
Go to the Tools pane and select Action Wizard.
3
Click New Action to start creating a custom action.
4
In the Choose tools to add list, expand Protection and double-click Sanitize Document to add it to your action steps.
5
Optionally, configure the Sanitize Document settings by clicking its gear icon to specify which hidden data types to remove.
Best practiceFor consistent results, review and save your preferred sanitize settings to avoid missing hidden data in future batches.
6
Optionally, add other steps (such as Save or Close) to automate post-sanitization actions.
7
Click Save, enter a name for your custom action (e.g., 'Sanitize PDFs'), and confirm.
8
To use your custom action, return to Action Wizard, select your action from the list, and follow the prompts to run it on one or more PDFs.
NoteYou can batch-process multiple PDFs with your custom action for efficient repeated sanitization.

In the appWith the API

You can quickly re-run your saved custom action from the Action Wizard to sanitize new PDFs with one click.

This runs in the Acrobat app - there is no separate API for this task.

Glossary

words on this page

SanitizationRemoving or hiding private or sensitive information from a document.ExampleThe sanitization process removed all client names and addresses before the report was published.

Acrobat ActionAn Acrobat Action is a saved set of steps that runs automatically in Adobe Acrobat.ExampleRunning an Acrobat Action automatically converts all selected PDFs to a specific archival format.

CustomCustom means something you make or change to fit your own needs.ExampleShe ordered a custom-made desk that perfectly fit the small corner of her office.

The real tasks

the one, listed here

We occasionally leak identifiers because someone forwards an archived file without realizing embedded metadata remains.

FAQ

about this task

To create a custom Acrobat Action, open Adobe Acrobat, go to the Action Wizard, and select 'Create New Action.' Then, add the 'Remove Hidden Information' step and save your Action with a name you will remember. Now you can use it anytime you need to sanitize files.

Sanitization in Adobe Acrobat means cleaning a PDF to remove things like hidden text, comments, metadata, or other information that might not be visible but could still be shared by accident.

You should use a sanitization Action whenever you need to share PDF files with others, especially if the files might have private notes, tracked changes, or personal information that you do not want others to see.

A custom Acrobat Action lets you save a set of steps and run them automatically, so you don't have to repeat the same clicks every time. This saves time and helps prevent mistakes.

Hidden information in PDFs can include things like author names, comments, or even deleted text. If you do not remove this, someone else might find private details you did not mean to share.

Create a custom Acrobat Action for repeated sanitization tas

When to use it

AI prompts

How to do it

Glossary

The real tasks

Who does this

FAQ

Sources

Adobe help