PDF Metadata Inspector & Cleaner
PDF Metadata Inspector & Cleaner: Clears `/Info` dictionary entries and deletes the embedded XMP metadata XML stream (`/Metadata`).
About this pdf metadata inspector & cleaner
PDF Metadata Inspector & Cleaner — browser-based utility.
How this tool works
Implements client-side PDF Metadata Inspector & Cleaner operations. Clears `/Info` dictionary entries and deletes the embedded XMP metadata XML stream (`/Metadata`) specifically designed for a government agency removes author name, editing software, and creation dates from a public pdf disclosure.
- PDF Catalog & XRef Ingestion: Parses binary PDF headers, trailer dictionaries, and cross-reference streams to index document object IDs.
- Page Tree & Box Dimension Inspection: Reads /MediaBox, /CropBox, and /Rotate attributes for each page dictionary in the document hierarchy.
- Symmetrical Coordinate Transformation: Calculates offsets relative to existing [x, y] origins for margin trimming or updates /Rotate angles.
- Document Re-serialization: Re-serializes the PDF object stream, updating byte offsets in the XRef table and preserving AcroForm dictionaries.
Worked example
Scenario: Clear title and author from a local PDF.
Sample input:
Processing: Set the six document-information fields to empty values with pdf-lib.
Illustrative output:
Limits and verification
Password-encrypted PDF files must be decrypted before processing. Margin cropping offsets cannot exceed half of the page width or height. Files with damaged XRef tables are repaired automatically where possible.
Examples demonstrate an expected workflow; they do not prove every input or every branch of an external specification. Check important results with an independent source before using them for money, security, compliance, safety, or irreversible file changes.
Browser processing boundary
Tool input is processed by code running in the browser and is not intentionally sent to a CZOA processing API. The page can still request ordinary site assets, analytics, or advertising when those services are enabled. Browser extensions and managed-device software remain outside this tool's control.
Relevant references
These references govern or help explain the format, protocol, or calculation used here. Listing a reference does not claim certification or complete implementation of every optional feature.
Content owner: CZOA Tools · Last reviewed: 2026-09-15 · Review methodology
How to use it
- Enter, paste, or select your input data into the PDF Metadata Inspector & Cleaner workspace controls.
- Review available parameter fields, units, formats, or options configured for your task.
- Click the action button or observe immediate live calculations rendered in your browser runtime.
- Inspect the resulting output and any diagnostic messages, then copy or download the result if needed.
Frequently asked questions
How does PDF Metadata Cleaner process a PDF?+
It loads the first selected PDF with pdf-lib, sets title, author, subject, keywords, creator and producer to empty values, saves a new PDF, and downloads it. It does not edit visible page content.
Which controls and file scope are available?+
The page provides one local PDF chooser and Process locally only. There are no field selectors, custom metadata values, batch inputs, page controls, redaction controls, or OCR options; the action targets the listed document-information fields.
What metadata remains outside this operation?+
Removing these fields does not prove every identifier is gone. XMP packets, embedded files, annotations, form values, digital signatures, encryption, URLs, visible text and page content are not individually inspected or scrubbed by this branch. Unsupported or encrypted PDFs can fail to load.
What did isolated browser verification show?+
In an isolated Chromium file run, a PDF with a known title and author was processed and Poppler pdfinfo reported those two downloaded document-information fields blank. That checks this tested field-clearing path only; it does not establish removal from XMP, attachments, annotations, or every metadata namespace.