Flatten a PDF: make form fields uneditable
Lock form fields and annotations into the page.
How it works
- 1
Drop your filled-in PDF.
- 2
Choose form fields only, or everything.
- 3
Click Flatten PDF and download.
Flattening turns fillable form fields into plain page content so the answers can no longer be changed, and the document looks the same in every viewer. Optionally flatten everything, including comments and annotations, into page images. All local.
A flattened PDF behaves like a printed sheet: what you see is permanent. This matters when you return a completed application, archive signed forms, or send a document to a system that cannot handle interactive fields. For the strongest result, Everything mode renders each page into an image so comments, highlights and stamps also become part of the page.
What people use it for
- Return a completed application nobody can edit.
- Fix form fields that look different in other viewers.
- Bake comments and stamps into the page.
Tips for best results
- Use Form fields mode to keep text selectable.
- Use Everything to include annotations, at the cost of selectable text.
- Keep a copy of the original if you may edit the form again.
Your files never leave your device
Unlike most online PDF tools, Intelli File does not upload your documents to a server. Everything runs in your browser using your own device, so contracts, IDs and financial records stay private. Only a small usage counter is sent so we can apply daily limits.
Read how we handle privacyWhat to do next
After this, you may want to Protect PDF, Sign PDF, or Compress PDF.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the two modes?+
Form fields keeps text selectable and only locks the fillable fields. Everything converts each page to an image, which also bakes in comments, stamps and annotations but makes text non-selectable.
Why flatten a PDF?+
To share a completed form that nobody can edit, to fix fields that look different in other viewers, or before printing.
What if my PDF has no form fields?+
The tool tells you. Use the Everything mode to flatten annotations anyway.
Can flattening be undone?+
No. Keep the original file if you may need to edit the form later.
Will signatures be affected?+
Visible signature images are kept. Certificate-based digital signatures become invalid when a document is modified.