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In developmentPDF tool

Flatten PDF forms and annotations predictably

Convert interactive fields and annotations into regular page content for stable viewing and printing.

The standalone flattening tool is planned but stays disabled until fields, annotations, links and visual output pass preservation tests.
The page is ready, but processing stays disabled until the implementation and quality gates are complete.All articles
PDF tool

When this tool helps

The standalone flattening tool is planned but stays disabled until fields, annotations, links and visual output pass preservation tests. The situations below show what this workflow is designed for so you can choose the tool before uploading a document.

  • Prepare a completed form for stable printing or viewing.
  • Fix supported annotations into the page before sharing the file.
How it works

Flatten PDF online

The “Flatten PDF online” workflow consists of 3 consecutive stages. Review the settings and expected output at each stage because processing creates a new copy instead of overwriting the source.

  1. 01Upload file

    Once released, you will be able to upload the source document here.

  2. 02Choose settings

    Choose the settings and review the expected result before processing.

  3. 03Get the result

    Download a separate result without changing the source file.

What you can do

The capabilities below describe what is included in the workflow and the resulting file. Use them to confirm whether this tool completes the task or whether another processing stage will be needed.

  • Form flattening
  • Annotation flattening
  • Visual comparison
  • Separate PDF result

Limits and important details

Limits keep the result predictable by describing supported files, processing boundaries and PDF properties that may require manual review. Read them before starting, especially for complex documents.

  • The workflow is documented, but public processing is not available yet
  • Processing stays disabled until the implementation and quality tests are complete
  • PDFs are not stored in a permanent document library
  • An inactive guest session expires after 15 minutes
  • The hard session limit is 2 hours

Before you start

  • Keep the source file until the result has been reviewed
  • Check whether the PDF is password-protected or digitally signed
  • Identify the pages and objects that are expected to change
  • Use a non-sensitive test copy for an unfamiliar workflow

Result checklist

  • Open the downloaded copy in a second PDF viewer
  • Review every changed page at normal and enlarged zoom
  • Check text search, links, forms and visual quality where relevant
  • Confirm that confidential data and metadata meet the intended use
Example

Current safe mode

The “Current safe mode” scenario follows a source file through to a separate result. It shows which action is performed and what should be checked after download.

Input
A synthetic PDF form containing completed fields and notes.
Action
Wait for the standalone tool and its preflight report of properties that will lose interactivity.
Result
No public job is created yet and the source document remains unchanged.
Privacy

Temporary processing in Germany, EU

The file is processed only inside a temporary guest session. Access closes when the session ends, and source and result files follow the service deletion lifecycle.

  • No permanent document library
  • No external AI, OCR or PDF providers
  • 15-minute inactivity timeout
  • 2-hour hard session limit
FAQ

Questions and answers

These answers apply specifically to “Flatten PDF online” and extend the main instructions. They cover settings, expected output and the cases that most often need clarification before processing.

What does flattening change?

Flattening removes interactivity from supported form fields and annotations in the result copy.

Is the standalone tool available now?

No. The separate flattening workflow remains disabled until preservation tests are complete.

Can the fields be filled again?

After flattening, fields and supported annotations become regular page content and can no longer be edited as interactive elements.

Help center

Common errors and next steps

When processing cannot continue, the service shows a reason code and a safe next step. Resolve the stated issue and upload again or choose another mode; the source document remains unchanged.

FILE_TOO_LARGE

The source file is larger than the current upload limit.

Choose a PDF of up to 50 MB and upload it again.
PDF_PASSWORD_REQUIRED

The PDF is encrypted and cannot be processed without a known password.

Enter the document password in the password prompt, or choose another file.
Help center →
Help center

Useful guides

Practical guides provide context that does not fit into a short procedure: how to choose a mode, understand processing consequences and handle the document safely.

Four PDF text editing modesHow to preserve fonts and layout when editing a PDFHow to make a PDF accessible

Editorial and technical review: · next review:

Tools

Related tools continue the current workflow by preparing pages, changing content, checking security or converting the result into another format.

Available nowCreate PDF forms online

Add interactive text fields, checkboxes and lists, then validate field names before exporting the PDF.

→Available nowEdit PDF online

Add text, images, signatures, annotations and forms to a PDF. Existing text is edited only when the document passes the capability check.

→Available nowPassword protect PDF online

Set a password for opening a PDF and configure supported document permissions.

→