Learn more about document properties and metadata that improve organization, searchability, and control of your PDF files in Adobe Acrobat.
Document properties provide important information about a PDF file, including metadata, security settings, and more. Understanding and managing these properties helps you organize and control your PDF documents effectively.
Document properties
Document properties are a set of attributes that describe and categorize a PDF file. They serve as a quick reference for important details about the PDF without needing to open and read its contents. These properties include:
- Basic information (title, author, subject, keywords)
- Security settings
- Font information
- Initial view settings
- Custom properties
Metadata
Metadata is a comprehensive set of data about the document that provides deeper insights about its history, content and characteristics. It is used for advanced search and includes the following information:
- Standard metadata fields such as. creation date and modification date
- Extended metadata schemas such as Dublin Core and IPTC
- Application-specific metadata
Importance of document properties and metadata
- Organization: Facilitate efficient file organization and retrieval
- Searchability: Enhance the ability to locate specific documents quickly
- Workflow management: Track document versions, approvals, and other workflow-related information
- Rights management: Embed copyright and usage rights information
- Compliance: Meet industry-specific regulatory requirements
Types of document properties in Acrobat
- Description: Includes basic document information
- Security: Displays encryption and permission settings
- Fonts: Lists fonts used in the document
- Initial View: Controls how the document appears when opened
- Custom: Allows user-defined properties for specific needs
Metadata standards
Acrobat supports various metadata standards that ensure consistency and interoperability across different systems and applications. These include:
- XMP (Extensible Metadata Platform)
- Dublin Core
- IPTC (International Press Telecommunications Council)
Limitations and considerations
- Some metadata may be read-only, especially if created by other applications.
- Editing metadata doesn't alter the document's content.
- Removing metadata might be necessary for sensitive documents before sharing.
