The Inspect Document tool permanently removes the specified contents from the document, including hidden data, bookmarks, comments, attachments, deleted content, destinations, embedded thumbnails, form fields and actions, JavaScript, links, and metadata. To keep the original copy of the document, click Save As and specify a new name.

Note: you can determine whether to use the Inspect Document tool before you close or email a PDF using the Preferences dialog box (choose Right PDF> Preferences… > Document > Inspect Document.)

To permanently remove certain contents from a PDF

  1. Open a PDF file and choose Security > Inspect Document to open the Inspect Document dialog box.

  2. In the Inspect Document dialog box, select the items you want to remove from the document:

    • Bookmarks. Select to remove all bookmarks serving as links that lead you to specific pages in the PDF document. Choose Document > Bookmarks to open the Bookmarks panel.

    • Comments. Select to remove all comments added to the PDF document using markup tools, drawing tools, and basic tools such as text box, typewriter, and more. Click on the Comments icon on the Sidebar Navigation pane to open the Comment panel that displays all comments added to the document.

    • Document Attachments. Select to remove all files attached to the document. Click on the Attachments icon on the Sidebar Navigation pane to open the Attachments panel and view all attachments added to the document.

    • Deleted content. PDFs sometimes retain deleted pages or images that are no longer visible in a document. Select this option to permanently remove content that has already been deleted.

    • Destinations. A destination is a link to a certain location in the same or another document, represented by text in the Destinations panel. Select to remove all destinations from the document.

    • Embedded thumbnails. Select to remove embedded page thumbnails from the document.

    • Form fields and actions. This item includes all form fields and any other actions associated with form fields. Select to make all form fields within the PDF flattened, meaning they can no longer be filled out, edited, or signed.

    • All JavaScripts. JavaScripts are interactive components that lead to commands or actions under specific conditions. Select to remove all JavaScripts throughout the document.

    • Links. Select to remove all links associated with any actions from the document.

    • Metadata. Metadata includes information about the document, such as author, keywords, date created and modified, and more. You can access it by choosing File > Properties or pressing Command + D on your keyboard. All information except for file name is removed if you use the Inspect Document tool to remove metadata from the document.

    • Embedded non-display data. Select to remove invisible content visually blocked by other items, for example, removing invisible embedded text underneath an image.

  3. Click Remove to remove the selected items from the document and then click OK.

  4. You have to save the document to make the changes permanent. If you do not want to overwrite the original file, give it a new name, location, or both and then click Save.

Note: make sure to save the document to put the changes in effect.

 

Select the items to permanently remove corresponding information.

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