Quick answer: to edit PDF metadata, open the file on this page. You will see its current title, author and other properties. Type the new values, leave a field empty to remove it, and press Save & download. CleanPDF updates both the standard properties and the XMP metadata, so every reader shows the new values. Your pages are not changed and nothing is uploaded.
Key facts
- Price: free, with no account and no watermark.
- Edit: title, author, subject, keywords, creator application, PDF producer, language, creation and modification date.
- Both metadata stores: the Info dictionary and the XMP packet are kept in step, which avoids the common “I changed the title but Acrobat still shows the old one” problem.
- Pages untouched: only the properties change. Text, images, links, forms and bookmarks stay exactly as they were.
- Privacy: the file is read and saved on your device, never uploaded.
How to change the title and author of a PDF
- Open your PDF. Click Select PDF file or drop the file on the page. Its current properties and file details appear.
- Edit the fields. Type a new title, author, subject or keywords. Changed fields are highlighted, and the summary lists what will change.
- Adjust technical details if needed. Change the application name, producer, language or dates, or tick Set “Modified” to the moment I save.
- Download. Press Save & download. The new file ends in “-edited”, and your original stays unchanged.
What each PDF property means
| Property | What it is | Where you see it |
|---|---|---|
| Title | The document's name, independent of the file name | Browser tabs, Google results, PDF reader title bars, document libraries |
| Author | The person or organisation that wrote it | Document properties, file managers, e-readers |
| Subject | A short description | Document properties, some search tools |
| Keywords | Words that describe the content | Desktop and intranet search, document management systems |
| Creator | The app the document was written in, such as Word | Document properties |
| Producer | The software that turned it into a PDF | Document properties |
| Language | The main language, such as en-GB | Screen readers and accessibility checkers |
| Created / Modified | When the PDF was made and last changed | Document properties, file sorting |
Why edit PDF metadata?
- Better search results. Google often shows a PDF's title property in search results. A title like “Microsoft Word – Document1” looks careless; a clear title gets more clicks.
- Correct the browser tab. When someone opens your PDF in Chrome or Edge, the tab shows the title. Tick Show the title so readers see it instead of the file name.
- Remove personal details. The author field often contains your full name or your employer's name from the computer that made the file. Clear it before you share the document publicly.
- Fix wrong information. Files based on an old template often carry somebody else's name or an old project title.
- Accessibility. Setting the language and a real title is part of the WCAG and PDF/UA accessibility checks.
- Organise your library. Reference managers, e-readers and document systems sort and search by title, author and keywords.
Info dictionary and XMP: why both matter
A PDF can store its properties in two places. The older Info dictionary holds simple fields such as Title and Author. The newer XMP metadata is a small XML packet that Adobe Acrobat, publishing tools and PDF/A validators prefer. Many free editors only change one of them, so different programs show different titles. CleanPDF writes the same values to both. If your file is PDF/A, its PDF/A identification is kept in the new XMP packet.
Privacy and security
Your PDF is opened and saved inside your browser. It is not uploaded, stored or seen by anyone, so you can safely edit contracts, CVs and internal reports. For a deeper clean that also removes comments, attachments, scripts and hidden data, use Remove Metadata.
Good to know
- Your original file is not changed. You always download an edited copy.
- Digital signatures: any change to a signed PDF, including its properties, makes the signature show as changed. Edit metadata before signing.
- Search engines update slowly. After you replace a PDF on your website, Google shows the new title once it crawls the file again.
- Password-protected PDFs must be unlocked first with Unlock PDF.
Frequently asked questions
How do I change the title of a PDF without Acrobat?
Open the PDF on this page, type the new title and press Save & download. It works in any browser, is free and needs no installation.
How do I remove the author name from a PDF?
Open the file, delete the text in the Author field and save. Empty fields are removed from the PDF completely.
Why does my PDF show a different title from the file name?
PDF readers and browsers show the title property stored inside the file, not the file name. Change it here to whatever you want people to see.
Will editing metadata change the content of my PDF?
No. Only the document properties are changed. Pages, text, images, links, forms and bookmarks stay exactly the same.
Is my PDF uploaded?
No. The file is read and saved in your browser on your own device and is never uploaded or stored.
Can I change the creation date of a PDF?
Yes. Edit the Created and Modified fields, or tick the option to set the modification date to the moment you save.
Does changing the PDF title help SEO?
Yes. Google often uses the PDF title property as the headline in search results, so a clear, descriptive title can improve how your PDF appears and how often it is clicked.
What is XMP metadata?
XMP is an XML-based metadata format used by Adobe and many publishing tools. CleanPDF updates it together with the standard properties so all programs show the same values.
How do I see the metadata of a PDF?
Open the file here. The current title, author, subject, keywords, application, producer, dates, PDF version and page size are shown straight away.
Can I remove all metadata from a PDF?
Press Clear all fields and save to remove the properties. To also remove hidden content such as comments and attachments, use the Remove Metadata tool.
Will it break a signed PDF?
Changing anything in a signed PDF, including its properties, invalidates the signature. Edit the metadata before the document is signed.
Does it work on my phone?
Yes. It works in modern browsers on Android and iPhone as well as on computers.