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Flatten PDF
Lock annotations and forms into the PDF
What is Flatten PDF?
Flattening a PDF merges all interactive elements — form fields, annotations, comments, and signature fields — into the static page content, making them permanent and non-editable.
After flattening, the document behaves like a plain scanned page: all visible content is preserved as-is, but form fields can no longer be filled, annotations can no longer be selected or moved, and signature fields are locked in place.
Use cases: finalizing a completed form before archiving, locking annotations in a reviewed document before distribution, preventing further editing of a signed agreement, or preparing a PDF for systems that don't support interactive elements.
How-to
- 1
Upload File
Select your PDF.
- 2
Flatten
Click the flatten layer button.
- 3
Download
Download the flattened PDF.
Practical tips
Lock in filled forms
Flattening makes entered form data part of the page so it can't be changed by the recipient.
Keep an editable copy
Flattening is permanent, so save the original if you may need to edit fields or comments later.
Fixes display differences
Flattened annotations look the same in every PDF reader, including viewers that don't show comments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I edit annotations after flattening?▼
No. Once flattened, annotations are permanently fixed and cannot be edited.
Are form inputs also fixed?▼
Yes, the data entered in form fields will be fixed onto the page.
Is the file saved on the server?▼
No, all processing is local.
Last Updated: August 6, 2026
