Remove PDF review annotations
Remove supported review comments and markups while preserving hyperlinks, form widgets and page content.
- 1Add input
- 2Adjust settings
- 3Get your result
Tool input and files are processed in this browser without being uploaded.
Before you start
Inspect the review layer before sharing a clean reading copy. Removal follows an explicit list of review annotation types, including linked pop-ups, and keeps hyperlinks and form controls.
How to use this tool
- Upload the PDF and select Inspect annotations to review removal and retention counts per page.
- Select Remove review annotations after checking that hyperlinks, form fields and other annotation types will be retained.
- Download and reopen the cleaned PDF, then verify the links, form values and page appearance. Keep an original copy if you need the review history.
Supported inputs and limits
One unencrypted PDF up to 30 MiB, 300 pages and 20,000 annotation entries. Supports Text, FreeText, Line, Square, Circle, Polygon, PolyLine, Highlight, Underline, Squiggly, StrikeOut, Stamp, Caret and Ink; linked Popup annotations follow their removed parent.
Link, Widget, Redact and other unsupported types are retained. Marks already baked into page content are untouched. Removal affects active annotations and does not provide forensic data deletion or redaction. Detected signatures and XFA are rejected for removal.
Worked example
Example input
A three-page PDF containing 14 supported review markups, one linked pop-up, one hyperlink, one form widget and one Redact annotation.
Example options
{"mode":"remove"}Example output
15 active annotation entries removed; the Link, Widget and Redact entries remain, with original page text and form value.
When something does not work
Start with inspection to see which types are supported. Use an unencrypted, unsigned PDF, retain the original, and verify links and form appearances after removal. Baked-in marks need a different editing workflow.
Frequently asked questions
Will this remove form fields or hyperlinks?
No. Link and Widget annotations are retained. The report names both the review types selected for removal and the types kept on each page.
Does removal permanently erase private comments?
The tool removes active review annotations and their linked pop-ups. Old objects can remain in the saved PDF, so it does not guarantee forensic deletion or safe redaction of confidential data.
Why does a visible mark remain?
It may be part of the page content, an unsupported annotation type, or a redaction annotation. This tool only removes the stated review annotation types.