Applies to: All editions
Purpose
Metadata Only is the least invasive predefined profile. Use it when the objective is to remove identifying document metadata and rewrite the PDF without removing normal annotations, forms, attachments, links, bookmarks, or page-level content.
Default actions
The profile uses Preserve Quality mode and removes:
- Document information metadata;
- XMP metadata;
- Document identifiers; and
- Previous or incremental revisions.
It does not, by default, remove:
- Comments and annotations;
- Interactive forms or form values;
- Embedded files;
- JavaScript and document actions;
- Optional-content layers;
- Hyperlinks;
- Bookmarks; or
- Hidden/off-page text.
Automatic verification and SHA-256 calculation are enabled by default.
When to use it
Metadata Only is appropriate when the operator has specifically determined that interactive and embedded content may remain and only metadata-oriented cleanup is required.
It is not the recommended profile when a document is being prepared for broad external distribution and unnecessary attachments, actions, comments, or form content should also be removed.
Important limitation
A PDF can contain sensitive information outside traditional metadata. A successful Metadata Only verification proves the selected metadata requirements were satisfied; it does not establish that annotations, embedded files, hidden text, links, or other non-selected structures are absent.