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Select the PDF file with form fields or annotations you want to flatten.
Click the 'Flatten PDF' button to convert all interactive elements into static content.
Download your flattened PDF with all fields permanently locked.
All processing happens in your browser. Your documents never leave your device.
No registration, no limits. Flatten as many PDFs as you need, completely free.
Form values and annotations are preserved visually while becoming permanent and tamper-proof.
Finalize a filled-out form before sending it to prevent further edits
Lock form fields in an official document for archiving
Fix form display issues — flattening ensures consistent appearance everywhere
Reduce file size by removing interactive form elements
| Format | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| PDF forms (AcroForms) | PDFs with fillable text fields, checkboxes, dropdowns | Locking filled-in form values permanently |
| Annotated PDFs | PDFs with comments and markup | Making annotations permanent and non-editable |
| Any PDF | Standard PDFs without forms | Passes through unchanged if no forms exist |
Fill in all form fields completely before flattening — values cannot be changed afterward
Always keep a copy of the original editable PDF before flattening
Flattening is ideal before sharing a completed form that should not be modified
Use flattening to fix PDFs that display form fields differently across readers
FyleTools flattens your PDF entirely in your browser using WebAssembly and the lopdf library compiled from Rust. The flattening process converts interactive form field widgets and annotations into static page content. The visual appearance is preserved exactly, but the elements become non-editable. Your document never leaves your device.