Flatten PDF: lock form entries and annotations
Make form entries, comments, and signatures a fixed part of the page so they can no longer be changed.
Accepted formats: PDF. Up to 2000 pages per document. Up to 500 MB in total per upload.
“Image only” turns pages into 200 DPI images rather than vector outlines, so the text cannot be selected and the file grows.
How to flatten a PDF
Add files
Choose a PDF, or drag it onto the upload box.
Flatten PDF
Choose how the text should end up: still selectable, or image only. Press Flatten PDF.
Download
Download the flattened PDF and send it without worrying that the entries will change.
Free, no sign-up
No account
No sign-up or sign-in needed.
No cost
Completely free, with no paid version.
Not stored
Converted files are deleted automatically after download.
Frequently asked questions
Which option should I use?
“Stays selectable” suits most needs: the form is locked and the text can still be searched. “Image only” turns every page into a 200 DPI image, so the text cannot be copied and the file gets larger.
Do digital signatures stay valid?
No. Flattening changes the file's content, so any existing digital signature no longer validates. Flatten the document before it is signed, not after.
What happens to form fields that are still empty?
Empty fields become part of the page while still empty, so they can no longer be filled in. Complete the form first if it is still needed.
