Finalize forms and page appearance
Make completed form fields non-interactive, or create a static image-based copy for consistent viewing and printing. Everything runs locally in your browser.
Drop a PDF here, or click to choose one
Flatten form fields or rebuild the complete visible document privately in your browser.
Flatten PDF
Save a new copy: flattening is permanent and invalidates existing digital signatures. Keep the original when editing or signature verification may be needed.
Document preview
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Quick start
Select one PDF. Enter its opening password if the document is protected.
See the detected page, form field, comment, and signature counts before changing the file.
Flatten only supported form fields, or rebuild every visible page as a static image.
Create a new copy, download it, and reopen it in another PDF viewer to check important values.
The word flatten can describe different operations. A production workflow should not turn every document into page images when only form controls need to be finalized. This tool checks the source first and gives you a structure-preserving choice and a visual compatibility choice.
Recommended for completed forms
The current appearance of supported AcroForm fields becomes normal page content. Text fields, checkboxes, radio buttons, dropdowns, list boxes, buttons, and supported signature appearances no longer behave as editable controls.
For viewer compatibility
Each visible page is rendered with supported saved form values and visible annotations, then placed into a new PDF as a static PNG or JPG image. It is useful for unusual forms, XFA documents, printing, or recipients whose viewers display forms incorrectly.
A PDF form stores a logical field value and normally stores a visual appearance for each widget. Form fields only flattening refreshes supported appearances, paints them into the appropriate page content, removes widget annotations, and verifies that no interactive form controls remain.
Some documents rely on proprietary XFA layouts, scripts, unusual fonts, or incomplete appearance streams. XFA is not supported by the structure-preserving method. Complete visual flattening is the safer compatibility choice when the visible page looks correct but the field structure is unusual.
Flattening makes selected content non-interactive, but it does not prevent later editing with PDF software. It also does not encrypt the file, certify it as malware-free, or safely remove confidential text. A field-only copy may still contain scripts, attachments, metadata, comments, layers, and hidden information from the source.
Use Redact PDF to permanently remove visible sensitive content. Use Sanitize PDF for active and hidden document data. Use Password Protect PDF after flattening when access control is required.
Flattening turns interactive or layered content into static page content. Form field flattening makes supported field appearances permanent while preserving the rest of the PDF structure. Complete visual flattening rebuilds each page as an image.
Choose Form fields only for completed forms when searchable text, links, vectors, and accessibility matter. Choose Complete visual flattening when consistent appearance across viewers matters more than search, selection, links, bookmarks, or accessibility.
Supported saved field values are included in the flattened appearance. Always download and inspect the new copy because unusual forms, missing appearance streams, or XFA behavior can differ between PDF viewers.
XFA forms are not reliably supported by the structure-preserving method. When XFA is detected, the tool directs you to Complete visual flattening, which captures the visible rendering as static pages.
No. Flattening removes selected interactivity, but it is not encryption, secure redaction, malware scanning, or complete hidden-data removal. Use the appropriate security or privacy tool for those goals.
No. Both methods change the PDF bytes, so existing digital signatures will no longer validate. Keep the signed original and obtain a new signature after flattening when required.
Complete visual flattening stores every page as a new PNG or JPG image. Higher resolution and PNG output can increase file size, especially for long or photo-heavy documents.
Yes, when you know the opening password. The password and PDF are processed locally in your browser. The downloaded flattened copy is not password protected unless you protect it again afterward.
No. Inspection, rendering, and PDF creation run in your browser. Your source file and password are not uploaded to LocalPDFLab servers.
Next steps
Choose another private, browser-based tool for the next step in your document workflow.
