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

Enforce PDF sanitization policy across an enterprise in Adobe Acrobat — How-to & AI prompts

AI prompts

3 ways to ask · copy any one

AExecute — “help me do it”Show me how to enforce PDF sanitization for all users in…+

Show me how to enforce PDF sanitization for all users in [my organization] using the Admin Console.

when the reply comes backWould you like tips on training staff about this policy?

BImprove — “do it better”Suggest ways to make our PDF sanitization policy stricter or more automatic for…+

Suggest ways to make our PDF sanitization policy stricter or more automatic for [our company’s needs].

when the reply comes backNeed help checking if the policy is working correctly?

CDecide — “help me choose”Help me decide which PDF sanitization policy level is best for…+

Help me decide which PDF sanitization policy level is best for [our organization’s security and workflow].

when the reply comes backWant to see a report of sanitized vs. unsanitized PDFs?

How to do it

the tool · the steps · what to avoid

1
Sign in to the Adobe Admin Console with your administrator credentials.
2
Navigate to the Products section and select the Acrobat product profile assigned to your users.
3
Access the Settings or policy configuration area for Acrobat.
4
Locate the security or compliance settings related to document sanitization or removal of hidden information.
5
Enable the option to require PDF sanitization (removal of hidden data) before allowing files to be shared externally.
CautionEnsure you do not disable necessary metadata or content required for internal workflows.
6
Configure the policy to apply to all users or specific user groups as required by your organization’s data protection standards.
7
Save and deploy the updated policy settings.
8
Communicate the new sanitization requirement and workflow to all affected users.
Best practiceAccording to best-practice blogs, provide users with a quick reference guide on how to manually run 'Remove Hidden Information' in Acrobat for edge cases.

In the appWith the API

Admins can verify enforcement by attempting to share a PDF externally and confirming that sanitization is prompted or required.

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.

Admin ConsoleThe online place where admins set rules for all users.ExampleThe Admin Console is where the IT manager sets up new user accounts and manages software licenses.

PolicyA policy is a rule everyone in an organization must follow.ExampleThe company policy states that all employees must complete safety training annually.

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

Admins can set up rules in the Admin Console that require all users to sanitize PDFs before sharing or saving them. This ensures every document follows the same safety standards automatically.

In an enterprise, PDF sanitization means removing things like hidden text, tracked changes, or metadata from all PDFs to protect company or client information.

Enforcing this policy helps prevent accidental leaks of private data, meets legal privacy requirements, and keeps company information safe when sharing documents.

Yes, many admin tools let you track policy compliance, so you can see if users are following the rules and take action if needed.

PDF sanitization removes hidden or sensitive content inside the file, while regular file security usually controls who can open or edit the file. Both are important for keeping information safe.

Enforce PDF sanitization policy across an enterprise

When to use it

AI prompts

How to do it

Glossary

The real tasks

Who does this

FAQ

Sources

Adobe help