Flatten a PDF
Lock form fields and annotations so nothing can be changed.
- Free, no sign-up
- Private and secure
- No watermark
Drop a PDF to flatten
Processed on our secure server, then deleted right away.
Flatten a PDF so that form fields, checkboxes, and annotations become part of the page and can no longer be edited. This is useful before sending a completed form so no one can alter the answers. Your file is processed securely and deleted right after.
How to flatten pdf
- 1Upload your filled or annotated PDF.
- 2We merge the fields and annotations into the page.
- 3Download the flattened PDF.
- 4Share it knowing the content is locked.
When to use this tool
- You've finished filling out a form and want to lock in the answers before sending it.
- A signed PDF has editable fields and you want to make sure no one can change your entries.
- You annotated a document and want the markup to become a permanent part of the page.
- You're archiving a completed form and want it to look identical in every PDF reader.
- You're sending a filled government form and want the agency to see it exactly as you completed it.
- You've stamped or annotated a document and want the markup to stay put in every viewer.
Tips for a better result
- Flatten only after you're completely done editing; flattened fields can't be typed into again.
- Keep a copy of the un-flattened version in case you need to make corrections later.
- Flatten before sending a completed form so the recipient sees your final answers, not blank fields.
- Combine with Protect PDF for both a locked layout and a password requirement.
- Open the flattened file in a different PDF viewer to double check it displays the same everywhere.
Privacy: what happens to your file
This tool uploads your file to our server, which forwards it to a self-hosted PDF engine to merge form fields and annotations into the page, then streams the result straight back to your download. Our own server doesn't write a copy to disk or share your file with anyone else.
Flatten PDF is one of 34 free organize-category tools on fillable.ca. It pairs well with redact pdf, compress pdf and protect pdf for a complete document workflow — see the full tools listfor everything else that’s free to use.
Frequently asked questions
What does flattening do?
It turns interactive fields and annotations into static page content, so the values are fixed and cannot be edited in a PDF reader.
When should I flatten a PDF?
Before sending a completed form, so the answers cannot be changed, and to make sure it looks the same in every viewer.
Is my file kept?
No. It is processed on our server and deleted immediately after.
Is it free?
Yes, flattening PDFs is free.