Flatten PDF Online Free: Make Form Fields Permanent
Make interactive form fields permanent. Bake filled-in values into static, uneditable page content.
Lock a completed form before you share it. Flattening bakes text inputs, checkboxes, radio buttons, and dropdowns into the page itself, so recipients see your answers but can no longer change them. It is the standard last step for submitted applications, signed contracts, and archived records.
How to Use It
- Upload your PDF and wait for the local preview to load.
- Adjust the settings: Adjust the available settings and run the tool locally in your browser.
- Download the result: Download the processed file directly to your device.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does flattening a PDF do?
It converts interactive form fields into regular page content. The filled-in values stay visible exactly where they were, but the fields themselves are removed, so the document can no longer be edited as a form.
Will my filled-in values be kept?
Yes. Each field's current value is drawn onto the page as static text or graphics before the field is removed. Empty fields are flattened as empty space.
Does this work with XFA forms?
No. Only standard AcroForm fields are supported. XFA forms (created by Adobe LiveCycle) store fields in a separate XML layer that browser PDF libraries cannot flatten. If a PDF exposes no AcroForm fields, the tool reports there is nothing to flatten.
Is my PDF uploaded anywhere?
No. Flatten PDF runs entirely in your browser using pdf-lib. For supported workflows, file contents are not uploaded for processing; site analytics and the assistant are separate.