Question 1

Does flatten PDF keep selectable text?

Accepted Answer

Yes. AcroForm fields are burned in and annotations are stripped. Body text stays selectable. This is not a rasterize-to-JPEG pass.

Question 2

Why will flatten not run on my PDF?

Accepted Answer

There is nothing to flatten: no AcroForm and no annotations. That is expected, not a bug.

Question 3

What is the _flattened.pdf file?

Accepted Answer

The new copy with fields locked and annotations stripped. The original is not overwritten.

Question 4

Is flatten the same as grayscale?

Accepted Answer

No. Grayscale rasterizes pages at 2x JPEG 0.9 and kills selectable text. Flatten does not.

Question 5

Should I fill the form before I flatten?

Accepted Answer

Yes if the fields are still empty. Use Form Fill, optionally flatten there, or flatten here after you download the filled file.

Question 6

Does flatten remove a visual signature?

Accepted Answer

A signature image that is already page content stays. Loose annotation-style marks can be stripped. Sign, then flatten if you need the mark locked.

Question 7

Will flatten create a searchable PDF from a scan?

Accepted Answer

No. Flatten does not OCR. A scan stays a scan.

Question 8

Can I undo flatten on the download?

Accepted Answer

No. Keep the live-field original if you might need to edit values later.

Question 9

Does flatten upload the PDF?

Accepted Answer

No. The job stays in the browser.

Question 10

Should I flatten before PDF/A conversion?

Accepted Answer

If live fields bother the archive profile, flatten first, then convert.

Question 11

Does flatten delete comments I still wanted?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Annotations are stripped. Export comments first if you need that thread.

Flatten a PDF - Lock AcroForm Fields and Strip Annotations