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

Sanitize PDFs and generate a compliance report in Adobe Acrobat — How-to & AI prompts

AI prompts

3 ways to ask · copy any one

AExecute — “help me do it”Sanitize this PDF and make a compliance report for...…+

Sanitize this PDF and make a compliance report for [describe purpose or audience, e.g., school upload, job application].

when the reply comes backWant to know how to check if your PDF is really clean?

BImprove — “do it better”Double-check my sanitized PDF for any info I might have missed...…+

Double-check my sanitized PDF for any info I might have missed and suggest how to improve the compliance report.

when the reply comes backNeed tips on what info is usually sensitive in PDFs?

CDecide — “help me choose”Which method should I use to sanitize my PDF for...…+

Which method should I use to sanitize my PDF for [state your situation, like sharing with a teacher or sending to a company]?

when the reply comes backCurious about what goes into a good compliance report?

How to do it

the tool · the steps · what to avoid

1
Open the PDF file you want to sanitize in Adobe Acrobat Pro.
2
Go to the Tools pane and select Protect.
3
In the Protect toolbar, click Sanitize Document.
4
In the dialog that appears, review the list of items that will be removed and click OK to proceed.
CautionSanitizing is permanent and cannot be undone; save a backup copy before proceeding.
5
When prompted, choose a location and filename to save the sanitized PDF.
6
After sanitization completes, open the Sanitization Report that Acrobat generates automatically.
Best practiceSave the sanitization report alongside the sanitized PDF for audit trails or compliance documentation.
7
Review the report to confirm which hidden data types were removed.

In the appWith the API

After sanitizing, Acrobat automatically creates a report listing all removed hidden data, which you can save for compliance records.

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

Glossary

words on this page

SanitizeTo remove sensitive or private information from a document before sharing it.ExampleRemember to sanitize the document by redacting personal details before sharing it publicly.

Compliance reportA document that shows the file follows certain rules or standards.ExampleThe compliance report confirmed that the new policy followed all industry regulations.

PDFA common file type used to share documents that look the same everywhere.ExampleShe saved the brochure as a PDF so everyone would see the exact same layout and fonts.

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 clean your PDF. This tool helps you find and delete things like hidden text, comments, or private details that you might not see on the page.

A compliance report lists what was checked and removed from your PDF, and shows if the file meets the rules for privacy or sharing. It helps others trust that your document is safe to use.

Sanitizing removes private or sensitive information that could be hidden in your PDF. This protects your privacy and makes sure you don't share things you didn't mean to, like comments or old edits.

Yes, you can use built-in tools in Adobe Acrobat or try online services, but Acrobat gives you more control and a detailed report. Online tools might be faster but could miss some hidden info.

If the report finds issues, go back and use the sanitizing tool again to remove anything missed. Make sure to review the report until it says your PDF is fully clean and ready to share.

Sanitize PDFs and generate a compliance report

When to use it

AI prompts

How to do it

Glossary

The real tasks

Who does this

FAQ

Sources

Adobe help