To edit PDF metadata for free, you can use software like LibreOffice or WPS Office, or Automator on Mac, to update a PDF’s title, author, and keywords.

To edit PDF metadata, you need a dedicated software, since most PDF viewers only display these details instead of letting you change them. Mac users can run a free Automator workflow, while both Windows and Mac users can turn to free programs like LibreOffice or WPS Office to update a PDF’s title, author, subject, and keywords.

While this information is often unseen by readers, it can greatly affect the document’s accessibility and searchability, so it’s important to know how to edit PDF metadata. Outdated or incorrect metadata can also make a file harder to trust in legal, academic, or business settings.

This guide covers three free ways to edit PDF metadata on Windows and Mac, when you actually need to change it, and how to avoid the most common mistakes.

PDF metadata includes a document’s title, author, subject, keywords, and creation date; these details shape searchability and organization, not the page content itself.

Mac users can edit PDF metadata for free with Automator’s built-in “Set PDF Metadata” action, with no extra software required.

LibreOffice and WPS Office are free, cross-platform tools that let you edit and re-save a PDF’s metadata on Windows, Mac, or Linux.

Updating PDF metadata corrects errors, improves document categorization, or helps search engines index the file correctly.

Editing metadata can overwrite other fields or fail on password-protected files, so back up the original PDF first.

PDF metadata refers to a file’s background details that a document management system or search engine uses to identify and organize the file, without ever appearing on the page itself.

: A brief description of the document’s content

: Keywords relevant to the document’s subject

: What software was used to create the document

In legal or academic settings, where they deal with a large amount of data, PDF metadata is crucial in organizing related documents and improving their searchability. Moreover, search engines rely on a PDF’s metadata when categorizing and ranking content.

So, if you’re planning to upload your document online, it’s best to edit PDF metadata and optimize it for SEO.

. Mac users already have a built-in option, and Windows users can reach for free, open-source alternatives. If you want to see more options beyond these, our roundup of the 

 compares free and paid software side by side.

, both include a more polished built-in metadata editor. However, neither is necessary if you just need to update a handful of fields for free.

three methods that work without a subscription

#1. Edit PDF Metadata on Mac with Automator

 isn’t the same as editing metadata. macOS doesn’t let you edit PDF metadata directly in Preview since its Inspector only displays existing details. However, Automator, Apple’s free built-in automation app, can change them instead.

Here’s how to edit PDF metadata on Mac step by step:

Enter the title, author, subject, and keywords you want the file to have, and save the workflow.


Enter the title, author, subject, and keywords you want the file to have

Right-click your PDF in Finder and run the Quick Action

However, Automator edits the file in place, so keep a backup copy if you want to preserve the original metadata.

 that allows you to make edits and modifications to various file formats, and it offers a simple and straightforward way to edit metadata in PDF.

 in the upper left corner of the page. Then, scroll down and click on 

click on Properties to bring up the PDF’s metadata

Once the Properties window opens, select the 

 and update the title, subject, keywords, and comments fields.


Select the Description tab and update the title, subject, keywords, and comments fields

The advantage of LibreOffice is that it creates a new file rather than overwriting the original.

WPS Office is another option that works on both Windows and Mac for editing PDF metadata. This AI-powered Office suite offers a premium version that allows more functionality, but if you just want to edit PDF metadata, you can do so on the free version. Plus, it has a 

With that said, here’s how to edit PDF metadata using WPS Office:

Click on Menu in the upper left corner and look for Properties

 to access the document’s properties and edit the PDF metadata.


Click on Properties and edit the PDF metadata

Protect Your PDF After Updating the Metadata

Once you’ve corrected a document’s title, author, or keywords, the next risk is someone changing it back, or changing the PDF’s actual content, without your knowledge. That’s especially true when you’re sharing a finalized legal, academic, or business document where accuracy matters.

For this reason, password-protecting your PDF locks it against edits, so the metadata and content you just finalized stay that way. Here’s how to do it with 

 tool and upload your PDF file directly from your device, or use drag-and-drop function.


Type in your password and click Set password

Wait for the encryption process to finish.


Wait for the encryption process to finish

Once the encryption process completes, click 

Once the encryption process completes, click Continue

, and the file never leaves your browser during the process.

Upload your document and choose a strong password—works on any device.

Lock Down a PDF After You Finalize It

Which Free PDF Metadata Editor Should You Use?

and whether you want to edit a file in place or create an updated copy

. Mac users get the fastest option with Automator, while Windows users need LibreOffice or WPS Office.

Why and When Should You Change PDF Metadata?

You should change PDF metadata when you want to 

correct errors in the document, improve its categorization, or enhance its searchability

. Each of these situations calls for updating a different combination of fields, from the title and author to the subject and keywords.

One of the main reasons why you may need to alter PDF metadata is to 

correct errors in its information, such as the title or subject

Having incorrect or outdated information in the metadata can cause confusion for people who need the file for specific purposes and will reflect poorly on the document’s credibility. This is especially important in academic settings, where students may need certain documents for research and other purposes. Accurate metadata also makes it easier to 

 when you’re referencing it in your own work.

change the PDF metadata creation date to ensure that it reflects the latest edits 

made to the document. For example, if a legal document was amended past the creation date on the file, you may want to edit the date on the PDF’s metadata to ensure that other readers know the document is the most up-to-date version.

, so it’s important to have all the necessary information about a file to improve 

. For instance, when arranging legal contracts or agreements, having the right relevant keywords in every file will allow your document management system to group related files together for easier access later on.

 requires that electronically stored business records stay indexed and retrievable, which is nearly impossible without consistent, accurate metadata across a file set.

search engines cannot assess the document’s content

. Because of this, it’s crucial to use a PDF metadata editor tool to add keywords and an optimized title or subject to your file to boost its discoverability.

, it’s recommended to keep the description field under 160 characters to avoid truncation in search results, and using comma-separated keywords that match how people actually search.

What Common Issues Come Up When Editing PDF Metadata?

The most common issues when editing PDF metadata are losing other fields by accident when you save changes, and getting locked out of a file that’s password-protected. Both problems are avoidable if you back up the original file and confirm you have the right password before you start.

, especially when saving over the original file. For instance, some editing software can overwrite the existing metadata fields and only save the information you edited. This means that if you only changed the subject and author, then you may lose other information, such as the title, creation date, and so on.

Another common issue when editing PDF metadata is the 

lack of access to a password-protected file

. If you are going to edit someone else’s document, make sure that the file isn’t restricted and that you have the right password to access it.

, you can simply recreate the file. However, if you are unable to do so, there are several tools that you can use to 

Editing PDF metadata is a small step that makes a real difference in how a document gets found, trusted, and organized, whether you’re fixing an outdated title or optimizing a file before you publish it. Automator, LibreOffice, and WPS Office each get the job done for free, so there’s no need to pay for software just to update a handful of fields.

Once your file’s metadata is accurate, protecting the finished document keeps those details from getting changed again, whether by accident or by someone else entirely.

#1. Can I modify or remove metadata from a PDF on a smartphone?

Yes, you can modify or remove metadata from a PDF on a smartphone for free using an app like WPS Office, which offers PDF property editing on both iOS and Android. Open the file, find its properties or details menu, and update the title, author, subject, or keywords the same way you would on a desktop.

#2. How can I share files after I change my PDF metadata?

To share files after changing PDF metadata, you need to download the modified file and save it to your device. Some editors create a new copy rather than overwriting the original, so once you have the right version, you can 

, as well as any file-sharing service as usual.

#3. Can I edit metadata for multiple PDF files at once?

Editing metadata for multiple PDF files at once is possible, but only with the right tool. Automator on Mac can batch-edit metadata across an entire folder of PDFs in one workflow, while most free desktop programs, including LibreOffice and WPS Office, only let you edit one file at a time.

#4. Is it possible to edit metadata in password-protected PDFs?

It’s possible to edit metadata in password-protected PDFs 

as long as you know the file’s password

. Unfortunately, if you don’t have the password, you won’t be able to edit its metadata.

#5. Does changing PDF metadata affect the file’s visible content?

Changing PDF metadata does not affect a file’s visible content, since metadata is background information stored separately from the text and images on the page. Editing the title or author field won’t alter what a reader sees when they open the document; it only changes how the file is described and indexed.

#6. Why won’t my PDF’s metadata save after I edit it?

Your PDF’s metadata usually won’t save because the file is read-only, password-protected, or the editor requires you to export a new copy instead of overwriting the original. Check the file’s permissions first, then confirm whether your software needs an extra export or save-as step to apply the changes.

How to Edit PDF Metadata: 3 Free Methods Explained

Learn how to easily remove hyperlinks from PDFs using pdf.net, Word, Mac Preview, and printing methods. Follow our simple step-by-step guide for a cleaner document.

To remove hyperlinks from a PDF, upload the file to an online editor, Microsoft Word, or Mac Preview, then strip out the links and save the updated document.

A single stray link in a business proposal or academic paper can pull a reader straight out of your document and onto a random web page. Hyperlinks are useful when you want them, but when you don't, they clutter formatting, distract from the message, and make your PDF look unfinished.

This article walks you through practical ways to remove hyperlinks from a PDF: using an online editor like pdf.net, Mac Preview, Microsoft Word, and the flatten/print method. You'll also discover best practices for keeping your document clean and error-free after the links are gone.

You can remove hyperlinks from a PDF using an 

 in a document at once with Ctrl + A followed by Ctrl + Shift + F9.

Printing a PDF removes clickable links by default

, but the blue, underlined styling stays visible even though the link no longer works.

Always double-check your document after removal

; some methods only disable a link's click function without removing the visual formatting.

How to Remove Hyperlinks From a PDF Online

To remove hyperlinks from a PDF online, you need an online 

 like pdf.net. Using our tool is straightforward; simply upload the document to our platform, remove the hyperlinks, and download the updated file.

Let’s break down the process to understand it better:

 document to the box or upload it manually by clicking the 

 button and selecting it from your storage.


Click the Choose file button and selecting it from your storage

After the upload, a new window will appear, showing your document. Press the 

 button in the toolbar located at the top of the page to enable editing.


Press the Text button in the toolbar located at the top of the page to enable editing

 from the menu. Once you’ve copied the hyperlink text, delete it.


Select the hyperlink you want to remove from PDF

In the empty text field, right-click to open the menu, and select Paste as plain text

After that, the text will appear without the hyperlink.


the text will appear without the hyperlink

Once you remove the links, you can download the new version of the document by clicking on the 

Download the new version of the document by clicking on the Download button

The downside is that you can’t remove hyperlinks in a batch. You need to remove them one by one. However, you get a full suite of different editing and AI options like 

Organize, optimize, and finalize your documents so they’re ready for submission or sharing.

Manage Your PDFs Online with Ease

How to Remove Hyperlinks From PDF Using Word

To remove hyperlinks from a PDF using Word, you need to 

Before anything else, you must ensure that your Word version can open PDF documents. If your document is of good quality, this process usually goes smoothly. If, on the other hand, Word cannot open your PDF document, you can 

That said, here's how to remove hyperlinks from a PDF using Word step by step:

To remove a single hyperlink, right-click it and select Remove Hyperlink

. Or, alternatively, press CMD + 6 for macOS.


Remove every hyperlink at once from your PDF

Choose your save location, name the document, select PDF from the Save as type menu, and click Save to finish.


LibreOffice offers the same option, with steps nearly identical to Word's. 

 works similarly too; upload your PDF to Drive, open it in Docs format, remove the links, and save it back as a PDF.

How to Remove Hyperlinks From a PDF Using Mac Preview

To remove hyperlinks from a PDF using Mac Preview, 

Remove Hyperlinks From a PDF Using Mac Preview

Select Show Inspector to open the editing panel

Click the pencil (Annotate) icon to enter editing mode

Click on a hyperlink to select it, then press the Delete key to remove it

Repeat this for each hyperlink on the page, and move through the rest of the pages if your document has more than one.


Repeat this for each hyperlink on the page

This method works well for PDFs with just a few links, but it gets tedious on longer documents. For those, the Word method saves considerably more time.

Printing PDF as an Image to Remove Hyperlinks

Besides using online software to remove links from PDFs directly, you can also 

. In other words, hyperlinks disappear by default, as physical copies cannot contain these.

. Select whether to print only specific pages or the whole file as an image. After printing is over, you can either use your documents as physical copies or scan them to make PDF files again.

If you want to update your PDF documents with new pages containing no hyperlinks after printing, you can add them to the file and remove the old ones to avoid duplication. This option is good for 

 or when removing hyperlinks from a few pages only.

This is because printing a small number of pages is not costly and will not take up much of your time. In contrast, printing and scanning a large number of pages can be both 

Additionally, as previously mentioned, hyperlinks feature blue fonts and underlined text. This visual note is still present on printed documents, which may leave the impression 

4 Handy Tips and Best Practices for Removing Hyperlinks From PDF Files

Due to the nature of PDFs, removing hyperlinks from this type of file is not always easy, and the results may not always be satisfying. That’s why we prepared a set of 

 that can help you delete hyperlinks or remove clickable links from PDFs with minimal hassle:

When choosing software to remove clickable links, you want to pick a safe and high-quality tool that will meet your needs. For instance, you can use tools such as pdf.net or programs like Word to 

Sometimes, you may need to delete hyperlinks from thousands of pages. In this case, the best option is to use tools with 

 to convert PDFs to plain text. This will change the formatting and style of the entire document, but the links will be removed. You can also use advanced options 

, which requires extensive knowledge but is suitable for batch processing.

 that will protect your data before and after the removal process, especially when working with sensitive documents.

#3. Use the Right Scan (Printing Only) and Document Settings

After you print PDF documents to remove hyperlinks, using the

 at the right settings for a higher dots-per-inch ratio (

) is crucial for the quality of your new files or pages.

 if you are using one above 300. Similarly, you need to disable options for automatic size reduction or configuration, which can affect the quality of your PDFs.

Furthermore, some offline programs may automatically create links when they recognize link-related word endings such as ‘.net’ or ‘com.’ To avoid this, we advise you to 

#4. Check Your Documents After Converting and the Removal Process

One of the best hyperlink removal practices is to thoroughly examine your file after the conversion or hyperlink removal procedure and see if there are any changes.

For instance, you may open a PDF with Word or Google Docs, and the 

 after the automatic conversion. This means you need to fix the formatting issues or use another tool for conversion.

Plus, some hyperlink removal tools may only disable hyperlinks in PDF but not remove them altogether, i.e., 

. Double-checking the documents for these and other non-detected links can help you fix such issues.

Finally, you need to be extra careful when replacing the old pages with the newly printed and scanned ones, as this may result in duplicates, missing pages, or pages in the wrong order. These issues might require 

Get the essential PDF tools you actually need—without installs or steep learning curves.

Skip the High Cost of Adobe—Edit PDFs the Easy Way

Removing hyperlinks from a PDF doesn't have to mean sacrificing your document's formatting or spending hours on manual edits. Whether you're cleaning up a single stray link or stripping an entire document before sharing it, the right method comes down to how many links you're dealing with and whether you need to preserve the original styling.

For quick, one-off edits, pdf.net's editor gets the job done without installing anything. For documents full of links, Word's select-all shortcut is the fastest route. And if you just need a clean, non-clickable copy, printing does the trick. Whichever method you choose, a quick review afterward ensures nothing was missed.

How to Remove Hyperlinks From PDF Files FAQs

#1. How do I remove all hyperlinks from a PDF?

To remove all hyperlinks from a PDF, you can use an online PDF editor, Microsoft Word, Mac Preview, or print the file as an image. No matter the method, make sure to review the document afterwards.

#2. How to download a PDF without hyperlinks?

in the document beforehand. To do that, you can use one of the methods outlined in our guide.

#3. Does removing hyperlinks affect the PDF layout?

No, removing hyperlinks does not affect the PDF layout. For instance, Word's Remove Hyperlink option keeps your original text formatting intact.

How to Remove Hyperlinks From PDF Files: 4 Simple Methods

Learn how to edit a PDF on iPhone using Markup, or pdf.net's online editor, whether you're fixing text or adding a signature.

You can edit a PDF on iPhone using the built-in Markup tool, or an online editor like pdf.net. Native tools work well for quick markups and signatures, while pdf.net gives you more control over text, pages, and formatting, right from your phone's browser. Nevertheless, whether you're fixing a typo, filling out a form, or signing a contract before a deadline, doing it directly from your iPhone saves you a trip to a computer.

This guide walks through how to edit a PDF on iPhone using native apps and online tools, plus how to add text, sign documents, and decide which method fits the edit you're making.

The Files and Notes apps (through Markup tool) let you modify a PDF on iPhone with markups, signatures, and basic annotations, no extra app required.

For real text edits, page deletions, or advanced formatting, an online PDF editor like pdf.net works better than Apple's native tools.

You can sign a PDF on iPhone in seconds using Markup's built-in signature tool or pdf.net's e-signature feature.

Highlighting, drawing, and adding notes are all possible directly on your iPhone using Markup, without downloading anything extra.

Save your edited PDF straight to Files, iCloud Drive, or Google Drive once you're finished, depending on where you keep your documents.

You can edit a PDF on iPhone by adding text, signatures, highlights, and drawings using native apps, though bigger changes, like editing existing text or deleting PDF pages on iPhone, generally need a dedicated tool like pdf.net.

Here's a quick breakdown of what each option covers:

If your PDF needs more than a quick markup, like removing a page entirely, our guide on 

How to Edit a PDF on iPhone with 2 Easy Methods

There are two simple ways to edit a PDF on iPhone: using the 

. Each one suits a different kind of edit, so here's how each works, step by step.

Let’s examine each method in more detail:

#1. Edit a PDF in the Files App Using Markup

 fastest way to edit a PDF on iPhone without an app download

Edit PDF

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