PDF Metadata: What Information Is Hidden in Your Documents
Every PDF carries hidden information beyond its visible content. Who created it, when, with what software, how many pages—this metadata tells a story about your document. Whether you're verifying document authenticity, troubleshooting PDF issues, or removing sensitive metadata before sharing, understanding PDF info is essential.
Our pktools.tech PDF Info Viewer extracts and displays all document metadata instantly, right in your browser—no uploads required.
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Extract document properties, metadata, and technical details from any PDF.
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What Metadata Does a PDF Contain?
Standard Document Properties
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Title | Document title (often different from filename) |
| Author | Creator's name or username |
| Subject | Document's topic or purpose |
| Keywords | Tags for search and categorization |
| Creator | Application that created the original document |
| Producer | Software that generated the PDF |
| Creation Date | When document was first created |
| Modification Date | When document was last modified |
Technical Properties
- PDF Version: 1.4, 1.7, 2.0, etc.
- Page Count: Total number of pages
- Page Size: Dimensions (Letter, A4, custom)
- File Size: Total bytes
- Encryption: Security settings applied
- Permissions: Print, copy, modify restrictions
Why PDF Metadata Matters
Privacy Concerns
Metadata can reveal sensitive information:
- Author names exposing who worked on documents
- Creation dates conflicting with claimed timelines
- Software versions revealing company tools
- File paths in producer strings showing internal folder structure
Document Verification
Metadata helps verify authenticity:
- Confirm creation date matches claimed date
- Verify author matches expected source
- Check if document has been modified since creation
Troubleshooting
Technical metadata helps diagnose issues:
- PDF version incompatibility with readers
- Encryption blocking certain operations
- Page size mismatches for printing
How to Use the PKTools PDF Info Viewer
- Upload your PDF: Drag and drop or click to select.
- View metadata instantly: All document properties displayed.
- Copy specific values: Use the information as needed.
PDF Versions Explained
| Version | Year | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1.4 | 2001 | Tagged PDF, JavaScript, Transparency |
| 1.5 | 2003 | JPEG 2000 compression, Layers |
| 1.6 | 2004 | 3D artwork, OpenType fonts |
| 1.7 | 2006 | XFA forms, ISO standard |
| 2.0 | 2017 | XMP metadata, modern cryptography |
Common Metadata Issues
Missing Author Information
Some PDF generators don't populate author fields. Scanned documents often have empty metadata since the scanner doesn't know document origins.
Incorrect Dates
If your computer's clock was wrong when the PDF was created, dates will be incorrect. Also, modification dates may not reflect actual content changes if files were copied or moved.
Leaked Internal Information
Corporate documents may contain:
- Full user names in author field
- Internal file paths in producer metadata
- Software license information
- Previous document titles in revision history
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I edit PDF metadata?
Yes, though our current tool is read-only. Dedicated PDF editors can modify metadata fields.
Do all PDFs have metadata?
All PDFs have some metadata by default, but fields may be empty or minimal.
Is metadata included when I print to PDF?
Yes—the PDF printer application becomes the "Producer" and your username often becomes the "Author."
Can metadata reveal document edits?
Basic metadata shows creation and modification dates. Full edit history requires specialized forensic tools and isn't always preserved.
The Bottom Line
PDF metadata reveals more than you might expect—authorship, timestamps, software, and technical specifications. Whether you're verifying documents, troubleshooting compatibility, or checking what information your PDFs expose, understanding metadata is valuable.
Our pktools.tech PDF Info Viewer extracts all document properties instantly, with no uploads required—your files stay completely private.