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Tips 4 min readJanuary 25, 2025

How to Edit PDF Metadata: Title, Author & More

PDF metadata affects how documents appear in search engines and file managers. Learn how to view and edit hidden PDF document properties.


Every PDF contains hidden metadata — information about the document that is invisible in the main content but stored within the file. This includes the document title, author name, creation date, subject, keywords, and the application used to create it. Metadata affects how PDFs appear in search engines, file managers, digital libraries, and document management systems.

What Is PDF Metadata?

  • Title — The document title (shown in browser tabs and search results)
  • Author — The creator's name
  • Subject — A brief description of the document topic
  • Keywords — Searchable tags for document management systems
  • Creator — The application that originally created the PDF
  • Producer — The software that exported or converted the PDF

Why Edit PDF Metadata?

  • Fix incorrect author information before publishing
  • Add keywords to make documents searchable in a DMS
  • Remove personal identifying information before sharing
  • Correct the document title that shows in browser tabs
  • Standardize metadata across a collection of business documents

How to Edit PDF Metadata — Step by Step

  1. Open the Edit Metadata tool on PDF Toolkit.
  2. Upload your PDF — the current metadata fields are automatically populated.
  3. Edit any field: Title, Author, Subject, or Keywords.
  4. Click "Save Metadata" to apply changes.
  5. Download the updated PDF with new metadata embedded.

💡 Tip

Privacy Tip: Before sharing a PDF publicly, use the Metadata tool to remove your name, organization, and any creation software information that you do not want disclosed.