Purpose
This guide explains how to remove hidden metadata from Word documents and PDF files before sharing them publicly. Metadata can include your name, editing history, comments, and other information you may not want shared.
For Microsoft Word Documents (.doc/.docx)
1. Open your document in Microsoft Word.
2. Click on the File tab (top left).
3. Select Info from the left hand menu.
4. Click Check for Issues, then choose Inspect Document.
5. In the Document Inspector window, make sure all boxes are checked and click Inspect.
6. Review the results, and click Remove All next to each type of metadata you want removed. Click Close once finished.
7. Save your document (we recommend using Save As to keep a clean version separate from your working copy).
For PDF Files (Using Adobe Acrobat Pro)
You will need Adobe Acrobat Pro DC, not just the free Adobe Reader.
1. Open your PDF in Adobe Acrobat Pro.
2. Click on the Tools tab.
3. Find Redact in the list and click the arrow to Open.
4. On the top menu panel, click Sanitize Document.
5. In Sanitize Document window click Ok and Acrobat will scan your document for various metadata categories remove them all.
6. This will prompt you to save the cleaned version
7. You can also go to File > Properties > Description tab and manually clear out fields like Title, Author, and Subject. You can also click the Additional Metadata button to view more possible data fields.
Tips for Safe Publishing
- Always review documents before uploading to public websites or external locations.
- Use the "Save As" option to keep your cleaned document separate from the original.
- If unsure, ask IT Service Desk or Cybersecurity for help reviewing sensitive content or attachments.