SoftnagFree

PDF Metadata Viewer

PDF Tools

Inspect hidden PDF document properties, author names, creation software, modification dates, and XMP metadata schemas.

100% In-Browser Privacy
Zero Server Uploads

Select a PDF document

Processed 100% locally in your browser with zero remote file transfers.

Choose PDF File

Who Is PDF Metadata Viewer Built For?

Compliance officers verifying document author credentials and creation timelines
Legal researchers examining electronic evidence for tampering or timestamp discrepancies
Privacy-conscious authors auditing metadata before public document distribution

Key Benefits & Core Capabilities

Complete Metadata Extraction

Reveals Title, Author, Subject, Keywords, Creator Software, Producer Engine, and Timestamps.

XMP Schema Inspection

Parses raw XML Advanced Metadata (XMP) packets embedded in PDF streams.

Security & Encryption Audit

Inspects PDF version, encryption level, and user permissions (print, copy, edit).

100% Local Binary Parsing

Parses document headers entirely in browser JavaScript; confidential files never leave your machine.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Use PDF Metadata Viewer

  1. 1
    Upload PDFSelect your PDF document.
  2. 2
    Inspect MetadataReview Title, Author, Subject, Producer, and Date stamps.

How It Works & Technical Architecture

PDF documents store metadata in the Info dictionary (located via the Trailer dictionary) and optional XML-based XMP metadata streams.

The Softnag PDF Metadata Viewer reads the raw ArrayBuffer of your PDF and extracts all standardized metadata fields (/Title, /Author, /CreationDate, /ModDate, /Producer).

Because the parser runs in client-side JavaScript, you can inspect sensitive enterprise documents with total data security.

Practical Use Cases & Applications

Auditing Document Privacy

Check if your company name, author username, or software versions are exposed in whitepapers.

Legal Timeline Verification

Examine creation and modification timestamps on digital contracts and invoices.

Publishing Compliance

Confirm that title, subject, and keyword metadata match academic journal submission guidelines.

PDF Standards Verification

Verify PDF/A compliance and encryption status for archival records.

Supported Formats & Input Options

PDF (.pdf)

Frequently Asked Questions

What hidden information is stored inside PDF files?

PDFs can store author names, operating system usernames, software tools used to create the file, exact creation dates, and edit histories.

Why should I check PDF metadata before sharing files publicly?

Hidden metadata can accidentally expose internal company usernames, client names, draft revisions, and software versions to competitors or the public.

How can I remove sensitive metadata if I find it?

You can use Softnag’s PDF Metadata Remover tool to wipe all author and software information with one click.

Are my confidential business documents uploaded to your servers?

Never. The metadata parser runs 100% locally in your browser memory.

Can I view metadata on password-protected PDFs?

If the PDF has permissions encryption, you must unlock it before full metadata streams can be parsed.

Does reading metadata modify the PDF?

No. The file is read in read-only mode in your browser memory.