PDF metadata
PDF Metadata Editor
View and edit the metadata of your PDF — title, author, subject, keywords, and more
- Runs in your browser
- Nothing uploaded
- No sign-up
- Free, no daily limits
- 1Add your file
- 2Choose settings
- 3Download
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PDF Metadata Editor enables you to inspect and modify the six standard Info dictionary properties of a PDF: Title, Author, Subject, Keywords, Creator, and Producer. It also displays the original Creation Date and Last Modified date as read-only reference fields. The editor runs entirely in your web browser for documents up to 100 MB, updating the document catalog without uploading your data to a remote server.
The Save Metadata button activates only after at least one field differs from the loaded file. When you save, TryDocsy writes your updated fields, resets the Last Modified timestamp to the current moment, and removes any conflicting XMP metadata stream so older viewers do not display obsolete information.
How it works
1. Select a PDF
Drag and drop your file into the editor or click to browse. If the document is password-protected, the tool prompts you to unlock it first using /pdf/unlock.
2. Review existing properties
Inspect current Title, Author, Subject, Keywords, Creator, and Producer values alongside read-only Creation and Modification dates.
3. Modify target properties
Type new values in the text inputs. Modified fields are highlighted in blue with a 'modified' tag. Keywords should be entered as comma-separated values.
4. Save and download
Click Save Metadata once your edits are complete. After processing, click Download Updated PDF to save the document with the -metadata suffix.
When you'd use it
Correcting author attribution before distribution
When preparing reports derived from internal office templates, documents often retain the template creator's name. Updating the Author and Title fields ensures correct professional branding.
Optimising documents for search and archiving
Adding relevant search terms in the Keywords field and assigning an informative Title helps document management systems, Windows Search, and macOS Spotlight index files efficiently.
Scrubbing software producer strings
The Producer field identifies the software used to compile the file. Clearing this field eliminates software version footprints before sharing files with clients.
Synchronising document titles with file names
Modern web browsers and PDF readers display the internal Title field on tab headers instead of the file name. Updating the Title eliminates confusing tab labels.
Use this, not that: Edit PDF Metadata vs Remove PDF Metadata
Choosing between TryDocsy's metadata tools depends on whether you are editing document properties or performing a comprehensive privacy scrub:
- **Use Edit PDF Metadata** to revise and standardize visible file properties: Title, Author, Subject, and Keywords. This is ideal for publishing, research indexing, and correcting mismatched template details.
- **Use Remove PDF Metadata** when preparing confidential files for public disclosure. That tool scrubs all 21 hidden metadata surfaces: wiping permanent document UUIDs, stripping XMP trees, zeroing camera EXIF GPS blocks, and deleting incremental update histories.
How field values and the Producer field are processed
The six fields are handled through @cantoo/pdf-lib using specific update rules. Title, Author, Subject, and Creator are written exactly as typed, or emptied if cleared. Keywords is split on commas and serialized as an array of string entries.
The Producer field receives special treatment: if left blank, TryDocsy sets it to a single space character (' '). This deliberate behavior forces the underlying PDF library to overwrite any preexisting software string rather than falling back to its default value or preserving the original generator name.
Regardless of which property you edit, saving always writes a fresh Last Modified date corresponding to the exact second the new file is generated.
Why the separate XMP stream is deleted upon saving
Many PDF authoring tools embed duplicate metadata inside an Extensible Metadata Platform (XMP) XML stream stored in the document catalog. If an editor updates only the Info dictionary while leaving the XMP stream intact, different PDF viewers will report conflicting information: some display the new Info dictionary, while others display the obsolete XMP data.
To prevent contradictory metadata, TryDocsy removes the root /Metadata object from the document catalog when saving. This guarantees that all PDF readers and search indexers reference the newly saved Info dictionary entries.
Scope of modifications
Editing metadata modifies only the file properties and catalog keys. It does not alter text, fonts, images, or vector graphics on the page. It also leaves embedded file attachments, interactive form fields, bookmarks, and image EXIF blocks untouched.
To strip active code and attachments, use Sanitize PDF. To permanently censor confidential visible text from the page, use Redact PDF. To freeze interactive form responses, use Flatten PDF.
Frequently asked questions
How do I edit PDF author and title properties without Adobe Acrobat?
Select your PDF file in TryDocsy Edit PDF Metadata, update the Author, Title, Subject, or Keywords fields in the form, and click Save Metadata. The updated document is processed locally in your browser without requiring an Adobe Acrobat paid license.
Can I edit the Creation Date of a PDF?
No. In the PDF specification, the Creation Date reflects the original compilation timestamp and is displayed as read-only in TryDocsy. The Last Modified timestamp is automatically updated to the current date and time whenever you save changes.
What happens if I clear the Producer field?
Leaving the Producer field blank writes a single whitespace string. This forces the PDF engine to overwrite any existing software generator signature instead of keeping the previous application name.
Why is the XMP metadata stream removed when I save?
PDF files often store properties in both the Info dictionary and an XML XMP stream. TryDocsy deletes the XMP stream so that all PDF viewers read your updated Info dictionary entries rather than obsolete cached XMP data.
Does editing metadata remove embedded file attachments or JavaScript?
No. This tool only edits the six standard Info fields. To remove embedded files, active JavaScript scripts, and auto-run triggers, use /pdf/sanitize.
Why does the Save button say 'No Changes Made'?
The Save Metadata button remains disabled until at least one field differs from the values loaded from the original file. This prevents creating redundant file revisions.