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Document Setup

How to Edit PDF Metadata and Document Properties

Clean up document traits, change the author, edit keywords, or add consistent headers and footers to your files securely in the browser.

May 26, 20264 min read

When you export a document from Microsoft Word or Google Docs, metadata is automatically bundled inside the PDF file. This metadata can reveal your full name, organization, the exact time the file was created, and the software used. For security and privacy, changing or clearing these fields is highly recommended.

Core PDF Metadata Fields Explained

Title

The primary name of the document, showing up in the PDF reader title bar.

Author

The creator of the document. Crucial to change or clear for anonymity.

Subject

A short description or summary of what the document covers.

Keywords

Comma-separated terms that search tools use to catalog the file.

Creator / Producer

The software used to compile or convert the original document.

How to Modify PDF Metadata Fields

  1. Open the /pdf-metadata tool.
  2. Drag your file in. The tool will parse and display existing properties.
  3. Change the Author, Title, Subject, or Keywords text fields.
  4. Click Apply Changes and download the updated PDF file.

Adding Headers and Footers

In addition to internal property tags, you may need to add visual tags to the PDF pages. The Add Header & Footer tool lets you place custom page numbers, branding, dates, or classifications directly on top and bottom margins of every page.

  • Align text left, center, or right.
  • Inject dynamic variables like {page} (current page number) or {total} (total pages).
  • Choose font size, placement margins, and colors to match your document style.

Edit Document Properties Securely

Update metadata entirely inside your browser. No files are uploaded to any external server.