Flatten form fields and annotations into the page. Everything runs locally in your browser — your files are never uploaded to a server, no registration is required, and the tool is completely free.
How to Flatten PDF
Upload the PDF that contains form fields, annotations, comments, or stacked layers you want to flatten.
Choose to flatten the entire document so every interactive and floating element is merged into the page content.
Click "Flatten" to bake all form values, signatures, and annotations directly into each page locally in your browser.
Download the flattened PDF — it now looks identical everywhere and can no longer be edited or filled in.
Features
Locks Form Fields Permanently: Converts editable AcroForm fields and their filled-in values into static page content, so recipients can read the data but can no longer alter it.
Merges Annotations and Comments: Stamps highlights, sticky notes, drawings, and review comments into the page itself instead of leaving them as separate, removable layers.
Consistent Cross-Viewer Rendering: A flattened PDF displays the same in every reader, browser, and print driver — no missing form widgets, fonts, or interactive elements.
Smaller, Print-Ready Output: Removing interactive objects and redundant layers often shrinks the file and prevents print or import errors in design and prepress software.
Frequently asked questions
What does flattening a PDF actually do?
Flattening merges interactive and overlaid elements — form fields, signatures, annotations, and layers — into the static page content. The visual result looks the same, but the elements are no longer separate objects that can be edited, filled, or removed.
Will I still be able to fill in the form after flattening?
No. Flattening is intentionally one-way: once a form is flattened, its fields become permanent page content. Keep a copy of the original if you may still need an editable, fillable version.
Why do my filled-in form values disappear in some viewers?
Some PDF readers do not render form field values the same way, especially when printing. Flattening fixes this by writing the values directly into the page so they appear identically in every viewer and on paper.
Is flattening done privately on my device?
Yes. Like every pdfwithlove tool, flattening runs entirely in your browser. Your document and any sensitive form data are never uploaded to a server.