Flatten a PDF — lock form fields and annotations into the page
Flatten a PDF so its form fields and annotations become part of the page and can no longer be edited. Ideal for finalising a filled-in form before sending it. NestPDF flattens in your browser, with no upload.
Processed on your device — files never uploaded
How to use it
- 1Drop your PDF into the box above.
- 2Choose whether to flatten just the form fields or fully rasterise the pages.
- 3NestPDF locks the chosen layers into static content.
- 4Download your flattened PDF.
Questions about this tool
What does flattening actually do?
It bakes interactive elements — form fields, check boxes, annotations — into the page so the values are visible but can no longer be changed.
What's the difference between the two modes?
Flatten form fields keeps the text selectable and is fast. Full rasterise renders each page to an image, which guarantees nothing is editable but loses selectable text.
Why flatten a form before sending it?
So the recipient sees exactly what you filled in and can't accidentally — or deliberately — alter the values.
Is my file uploaded?
No. Flattening happens in your browser and the document stays on your device.