Read the metadata of a PDF before sharing it
Published · Updated 2 min read
Metadata is information hidden in a file, in addition to its content. In a PDF, it tells how the file was made: who wrote it, with which software, on what date. None of this shows when you read the document, but anyone who receives the file can read it. It is better to know what it contains before sending it.
What the tool shows
Read PDF metadata reads the file without ever modifying it and shows the fields that are present.
| Field | What it says | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Often the name of the original file | Document1.docx |
| Author | The user name of the session | m.durand |
| Subject | A summary typed by hand | Job application |
| Creator | The program that wrote the document | Microsoft Word |
| Producer | The program that made the PDF | Microsoft: Print To PDF |
| Dates | Creation and last modification | 2026-03-02T08:30:15.000Z |
Read the dates
Dates are given in universal time, recognizable by the letter Z at the end. It is the world reference time, not that of your region. A document created on 2 March 2026 at 9:30 in France appears as 08:30:15, because France is one hour ahead of universal time in winter and two in summer.
Three files, three stories
Depending on its origin, a PDF says more or less. A web page exported by the browser shows only the browser's name and its dates, with no title or author. A scan gives little more than the number of pages. A document written in office software is the most talkative: title, author, software and dates. The tool shows only the fields that exist, so a missing field is normal.
After cleaning
If a field should not be seen, for example a user name or an old title, run the file through Clean PDF, then read it again: the fields are gone. The guide Prepare a PDF before sharing it gives the complete order of steps.
When to care
Before sending a CV, a quote or a report to someone you do not know well, or before publishing a document on a site: the software name, the user name and the dates can be read in one click by anyone.
Check before sending
Read the fields before any sending, spot the names or titles that should not appear, clean, then read once more.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the metadata of a PDF?
- It is the information saved with the document, such as the title, the author, the software used and the creation and modification dates. It does not show when you read the document.
- Why is the displayed time one hour off?
- Dates are given in universal time, recognizable by the letter Z. France is one hour ahead in winter and two in summer.
- How do you remove the metadata of a PDF?
- With Clean PDF, which erases the title, the author, the software and the dates. Then read the file again with the metadata tool to confirm.
- Why are some fields missing?
- The tool shows only the fields that exist. A scan or a browser export contains very few.