---
title: "Cleansing Metadata from Documents, PDFs and Images"
canonical: "https://servicedesk.shu.edu/space/PUBLICKBA/3495297031/Cleansing%20Metadata%20from%20Documents%2C%20PDFs%20and%20Images"
format: markdown
---
**What is Metadata?**

Metadata is *data about data*. It includes descriptive information embedded in a file but not visible in the main content. For documents, PDFs, and images, metadata may contain:

- Author name
- Date created and last modified
- Editing history
- Device information (for photos)
- Software used to create/edit the file
- GPS coordinates (for images)

Removing metadata before sharing documents can protect your privacy and help ensure you are not unintentionally disclosing sensitive information.

**How to Remove Metadata from Documents (Word)**

> ℹ️ **Important Note:** Always double-check your file’s properties after cleansing to ensure no metadata remains before distribution. Use multiple tools when needed for thorough sanitization.

<details>
<summary>Using Word on Windows (via Document Inspector)</summary>

Microsoft Word offers a built-in Document Inspector to identify and remove sensitive metadata.

1. Open the document in Microsoft Word.
2. Go to **File** > **Info**.
3. Click **Check for Issues** > **Inspect Document**.
4. In the pop-up window, select items you want to inspect (e.g., Comments, Document Properties).
5. Click **Inspect**, and then **Remove All** for the items you want deleted.
6. Save the document.

For additional information, visit **[Microsoft Guide to Inspecting Documents](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/remove-hidden-data-and-personal-information-by-inspecting-documents-presentations-or-workbooks-356b7b5d-77af-44fe-a07f-9aa4d085966f)****.**
</details>

<details>
<summary>Using Word on Mac</summary>

1. Open the document in Microsoft Word.
2. Click on the **Tools** menu.
3. Select **Protect Document**.
4. Under the **Privacy** section, check **Remove personal information from this file on save**.
5. Click **OK** and then save your document.

> ℹ️ **Note:** The Mac version has fewer metadata management features compared to the Windows version.
</details>


**Using the Property Tab in Windows (Basic Method)**

For all file types in Windows 7, 10, or 11, you can remove some metadata using the Properties tab:

1. Right-click the file and choose **Properties**.
2. Go to the **Details** tab.
3. Click **Remove Properties and Personal Information** at the bottom.
4. Choose:

- Create a copy with all possible properties removed.
- Remove selected properties.

5. Click OK.

> ℹ️ Note: This method is *less comprehensive* and mainly suited for quick edits to general files (e.g., images, PDFs).

**How to Remove Metadata from PDFs**  
Adobe Acrobat includes a Sanitize Document and Remove Hidden Information tool to clean metadata.

1. Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat Pro DC.
2. Go to **Tools** > **Redact** > **Remove Hidden Information**.
3. Acrobat will scan the file for metadata, comments, hidden text, etc.
4. Review the list and click **Remove**.
5. Save the sanitized version of the file.
6. Alternatively, use **File** > **Properties** > **Description** **tab** to manually clear fields like title, author, etc.

**How to Remove Metadata from Pictures**

Many image files (especially JPEGs) contain EXIF metadata, such as GPS location and camera model.

**Using Windows Explorer:**

1. Right-click the image file > **Properties** > **Details**.
2. Click **Remove Properties and Personal Information.**
3. Choose to create a copy or remove specific metadata.

**Flattening Documents (An Alternative)**

Another method to reduce metadata is to “flatten” a file:

- In Word or another editor, choose Print to PDF instead of saving directly.
- This generates a new PDF with all content embedded as a single layer—minimizing traceable metadata.

> ℹ️ **Note:** This does not guarantee all metadata is removed—always verify using inspection tools.