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  1. Home
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Free Online Tool

Remove Author from PDF

Delete the author name, creator application, and other identifying fields from any PDF. Perfect for anonymizing documents before distribution.

Part of our Remove PDF Metadata suite

About This Tool

The author field is the single most commonly leaked piece of personal information in PDF files. Every time someone creates a PDF from Word, Google Docs, LibreOffice, or Pages, the application writes their name — often their full real name or corporate login — into the document's author property. Most people have no idea it's there. But anyone who right-clicks the file and checks Properties can see it instantly. This becomes a real issue when you need a document to appear neutral, anonymous, or branded under an organization rather than an individual. This tool lets you see the current author field and wipe it clean, along with all other metadata, so the PDF no longer carries any personal attribution. Everything happens directly in your browser with no server involvement — the file you're trying to de-identify stays entirely on your own computer.

How It Works

1

Upload Your PDF

Drag and drop or click to select the PDF you want to inspect and clean

2

Review the Metadata

See every hidden field — author, creation date, software used, title, subject, and more — laid out in a clear table

3

Remove & Download

Strip out all metadata with one click and download a clean PDF ready to share

Who Uses This Tool

Writers & Academics

Anonymous Submissions

Remove author attribution from manuscripts, essays, and proposals that require blind review or anonymous evaluation

Marketing Teams

Branded Documents

Replace individual author names with organizational branding so client-facing documents represent the company, not a specific person

Ghostwriters & Publishers

Ghostwritten Content

Strip the ghostwriter's name from PDFs before delivering to the credited author or publisher

Educators & Exam Boards

Exam and Assessment Papers

Remove the exam author's name from test papers so students cannot identify or contact the person who wrote the questions

Pro Tips

Check Your Default Settings

In Microsoft Word, go to File > Info > Properties and clear the Author field before exporting to PDF. This prevents the problem at the source for future documents.

Watch for Multiple Author Fields

Some PDFs have both a standard Author field and an XMP dc:creator field. This tool removes both, but be aware that basic editors might only clear one.

Test a Sample File

Export a test PDF from your usual workflow and run it through the viewer. You'll see exactly what name is being embedded so you can decide whether to change your source settings.

Update Team Templates

If your team uses shared Word or InDesign templates, clear the author field in the template itself. Every document created from it will start clean.

95%
of Word-to-PDF exports contain the author's real name
2 clicks
to view and remove the author field
No upload
needed — your file stays on your device

Why Choose FreeToolsfr?

100% Private

All processing happens locally in your browser. Your files never leave your device.

Lightning Fast

No uploads, no waiting for servers. Instant processing powered by your device.

Unlimited & Free

No limits, no watermarks, no registration required. Free forever.

Frequently Asked Questions

← PDF Sanitizer ToolRemove PDF Properties →

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