What is the difference between redacting a PDF and sanitizing a PDF?

Feature What it removes Focus. Redaction Visible text and images Visible information Sanitize Document Hidden metadata, comments, scripts Invisible information

How can I remove all hidden information from my PDF using Adobe Acrobat?

Open your PDF in Acrobat. Go to 'All tools' > 'Redact a PDF'. Click 'Sanitize document' then 'Remove all'. This will clear metadata, comments, and other hidden content.

What types of hidden content does the Sanitize Document feature remove from a PDF?

Metadata (author, date, software) Embedded content and scripts Comments and bookmarks Attachments and form fields AI content

◆ Acrobat · protect

Sensitive PDF Metadata

An external translator emailed asking for the marked manuscript and queries; production wants the file out in [deadlin…

1ready prompt

1real task

3roles

See the prompt↓More protect workflows

When to use it

real situations

Sharing a legal document and needing to remove author names and dates.
Sending a report to a client and wanting to ensure no internal comments are visible.
Publishing a public document and needing to erase all hidden information from the file.
Submitting an application and needing to remove any personal metadata.

AI prompts

1 way to ask · copy any one

CDecide — “help me choose”An external translator emailed asking for the marked manuscript and queries; production wants…+

An external translator emailed asking for the marked manuscript and queries; production wants the file out in [deadline=90 minutes]. I suspect the PDF still contains reviewer metadata and embedded comments from another story. Tell me the quick steps to sanitize the file safely, how to confirm the translator received exactly what I intended, and the one sentence to include so they understand which corrections to apply and which queries need answers.

when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed.

How to do it

the tool · the steps · what to avoid

1
Open the PDF file you want to sanitize in Adobe Acrobat.
2
Go to the Tools pane and select Protect.
3
In the Protect toolbar, click Sanitize.
4
When prompted, confirm that you want to remove hidden information by clicking OK or Sanitize.
5
Save the sanitized PDF to preserve the changes.
Best practiceBlog sources recommend saving a backup copy of your original PDF before sanitizing, as this process is irreversible.

In the appWith the API

After sanitizing, review your document to ensure all sensitive hidden data has been removed as intended.

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

Glossary

words on this page

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.

RedactionRedaction is the permanent removal of visible sensitive information from a document.ExampleThe redaction of personal names ensures privacy for all individuals mentioned in the report.

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.

Who does this

3 roles

Legal AssistantCompliance OfficerRecords Manager

FAQ

about this task

Feature	What it removes	Focus
Redaction	Visible text and images	Visible information
Sanitize Document	Hidden metadata, comments, scripts	Invisible information

Open your PDF in Acrobat.
Go to 'All tools' > 'Redact a PDF'.
Click 'Sanitize document' then 'Remove all'.
This will clear metadata, comments, and other hidden content.

Sanitizing PDF metadata is important because it protects your privacy and the privacy of others. Metadata can include sensitive details like author names, company information, or creation dates that you might not want to share publicly. Removing this hidden data helps prevent accidental information leaks and ensures compliance with privacy rules.

Metadata (author, date, software)
Embedded content and scripts
Comments and bookmarks
Attachments and form fields
AI content

Yes, even after redacting visible text, you should still use Sanitize Document. Redaction only handles the parts you can see, like text or images. Sanitize Document cleans the invisible layers, removing hidden metadata, comments, and other sensitive data that redaction misses. For full security, both steps are necessary to protect all information in your PDF.