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

Remove all hidden data from a PDF before sharing in Adobe Acrobat — How-to & AI prompts

AI prompts

3 ways to ask · copy any one

AExecute — “help me do it”Help me remove all hidden data from this PDF before...…+

Help me remove all hidden data from this PDF before I share it with [person/group].

when the reply comes backWould you like tips for keeping your PDFs private in the future?

BImprove — “do it better”Can you double-check this PDF for any hidden data or...…+

Can you double-check this PDF for any hidden data or information that might still be there before I send it?

when the reply comes backNeed help checking another file for hidden data?

CDecide — “help me choose”Should I use Adobe Acrobat or another tool to remove...…+

Should I use Adobe Acrobat or another tool to remove hidden data from my PDF? Which is safer for privacy?

when the reply comes backWant to learn how to spot hidden data before sharing?

How to do it

the tool · the steps · what to avoid

1
Open the PDF file you want to sanitize in Adobe Acrobat.
2
Select Tools from the top menu.
3
Choose Protect from the Tools pane.
4
Click Remove Hidden Information in the Protect toolbar.
5
Wait for Acrobat to scan the document and display a list of hidden items.
6
Review the list to confirm all types of hidden data (metadata, comments, hidden text, etc.) are selected for removal.
Best practiceDouble-check the scan results to ensure no sensitive information is missed, as some custom objects may require manual review.
7
Click Remove to permanently delete all selected hidden data.
CautionThis action cannot be undone; save a backup copy if you may need the original information.
8
Save the sanitized PDF using File > Save As to avoid overwriting your original file.

In the appWith the API

You can use the Remove Hidden Information tool to quickly scan and clean your PDF of metadata, comments, and other concealed content before sharing.

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

Glossary

words on this page

Hidden dataInformation in a file that is not visible but can be found by others.ExampleMetadata showing who created a document is often hidden data within the file.

MetadataMetadata is hidden information about a file, such as who created it or when it was changed.ExampleChecking a photo's metadata reveals the camera model and the exact date it was taken.

RedactTo hide or remove sensitive information from a document.ExampleYou redact the social security number before sharing the report with others.

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

In Adobe Acrobat, you can use the 'Remove Hidden Information' tool to find and delete any hidden data, like comments, metadata, or attachments, making sure your PDF is safe to share.

Hidden data is information not seen on the page, such as author names, old edits, or notes. It matters because someone else could find private or sensitive details you didn't mean to share.

Usually, removing hidden data does not change the way your PDF looks to readers, but it does erase things like comments or invisible text that are not part of the main content.

Adobe Acrobat is trusted and has strong tools for removing hidden data, but some free tools can also do this. However, Acrobat may be more reliable for protecting your privacy.

Removing hidden data protects your privacy and prevents others from seeing information you did not mean to share, like personal notes, editing history, or who created the file.

Remove all hidden data from a PDF before sharing

When to use it

AI prompts

How to do it

Glossary

The real tasks

Who does this

FAQ

Sources

Adobe help