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Flatten a PDF

Make fillable PDFs read-only. Print and scan in one step.

Drop your file here

Make a filled-in PDF form read-only by merging the answers into the page. Or flatten everything, turning each page into an image like a printed and scanned copy.

How to use Flatten PDF

  1. Choose a PDF file.
  2. Pick Form fields to lock the form answers, or Everything to turn every page into an image.
  3. Click Flatten PDF.
  4. Download the flattened PDF.

What it does

  • Form fields mode: makes field values part of the page and removes the editable fields; text stays selectable.
  • Everything mode: renders each page as an image at 150 DPI, so nothing can be edited or copied.
  • Reports how many form fields were flattened.
  • Runs in your browser with pdf.js and pdf-lib.

Good to know

  • Everything mode makes text unselectable and not searchable, and can change file size and sharpness.
  • If a PDF has no form fields, Form fields mode leaves it unchanged.
  • Some forms cannot be flattened in Form fields mode; use Everything instead. Password-protected PDFs must be unlocked first.

Your files and privacy

Flattening happens inside your browser; your PDF is not uploaded to Docshar's server for processing. If you are signed in, Docshar counts your operations (tool, number of files, sizes and page counts), never the file contents. See the Privacy Policy.

Questions

What does flattening a PDF form do?

It turns the typed answers into regular page content and removes the fillable fields, so the form can no longer be changed in a PDF reader.

Which mode should I choose?

Use Form fields to lock answers while keeping text selectable. Use Everything when you want a copy where nothing can be edited or copied.

Can I undo flattening?

No, not in the flattened file. Keep your original PDF if you may need to edit it again.