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What is PDF Inspector?
PDF Inspector analyzes a single PDF document and displays its technical, structural, and metadata properties directly in your browser. PDFZento examines the PDF version header, file byte size, page count, encryption status, interactive AcroForm fields, annotation counts, page dimensions and rotations, and document info dictionary on-device with zero server uploads.
How to Inspect a PDF Document Online
Analyzing the internal properties of any PDF document is instantaneous and private:
1
Upload your PDF document
Drag and drop your PDF file into the inspection area above. The file is read safely into browser memory.
2
Automated structural parsing
PDFZento inspects binary headers (%PDF-), catalog dictionaries, AcroForms, and page trees.
3
Review technical properties
Inspect specifications including PDF version, dimensions (pt), aspect ratios, forms, and info metadata.
4
Download report or edit metadata
Export the comprehensive pdf-inspection-report.json or update metadata fields directly in the panel.
What Information Does PDF Inspector Examine?
PDF Inspector parses low-level PDF dictionary structures and reports verified technical details:
File & Specification Details
- PDF Version: Detects format standard from file header magic bytes (e.g., PDF 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7).
- File Size & Page Count: Reports exact file byte weight and verified page count.
- Security & Encryption: Checks for standard security handlers, verifying if passwords are required.
- Content Classification: Categorizes document as text-heavy, image-heavy, mixed, or blank.
Forms, Annotations & Pages
- AcroForm Fields: Detects interactive form widgets (text fields, checkboxes, dropdowns) and counts.
- Annotation Elements: Identifies comment popups, highlights, and markup counts.
- Page Geometry: Measures page width and height in points (pt), rotation angles, and orientation.
- Aspect Ratio: Classifies each page as Portrait, Landscape, or Square.
PDF Inspector vs. Compare PDF vs. Remove PDF Metadata
Understand the distinction between document inspection, revision comparison, and metadata sanitization:
| Tool | Primary Function | Number of Files | Document Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| PDF Inspector | Examines & reports technical structure and metadata | 1 Document | Read-only analysis; generates diagnostic report (optional metadata edit) |
| Compare PDF | Compares two documents to find differences and edits | 2 Documents | Produces side-by-side visual diff and page change metrics |
| Remove PDF Metadata | Strips document properties and author histories | 1 Document | Sanitizes info dictionary and resets edit timestamps for privacy |
| Flatten PDF | Bakes interactive form fields into static graphics | 1 Document | Converts fillable AcroForm widgets into permanent page drawings |
PDF Metadata and Document Properties
PDF files contain an internal document information dictionary that records hidden metadata attributes. PDF Inspector analyzes these fields:
- Title & Subject: The formal document title and descriptive subject summary embedded by publishing software.
- Author & Keywords: The name of the document author and search indexing tags.
- Creator & Producer: The client application used to write the document (e.g., Microsoft Word, Google Docs) and the conversion engine used to render the PDF binary stream.
- Creation & Modification Dates: Exact ISO timestamps recording when the document was initially created and last saved.
If you need to sanitize or strip these fields before publishing or sending files to clients, use our dedicated Remove PDF Metadata tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a PDF Inspector?
A PDF Inspector is a diagnostic tool that examines the internal technical structure, file header specifications, page geometry, form fields, and metadata properties of a single PDF document without modifying its contents.
What technical information can PDF Inspector display?
PDF Inspector reports the PDF specification version (e.g., 1.4 through 1.7), file byte size, total page count, encryption/password status, AcroForm interactive form presence and field count, annotation counts, document info dictionary (Title, Author, Subject, Keywords, Creator, Producer, timestamps), and page-by-page dimensions (pt), rotations, and aspect ratios.
Can PDF Inspector show whether a PDF has interactive form fields?
Yes. It inspects the document's AcroForm dictionary to detect whether the file contains fillable form widgets (text fields, checkboxes, dropdowns) and reports the exact count of form elements.
Can PDF Inspector detect password protection or encryption?
Yes. When an encrypted or password-protected PDF is loaded, PDF Inspector detects the standard security handler and reports that the document is encrypted.
Can PDF Inspector remove or bypass a PDF password?
No. PDF Inspector reports security and encryption status for diagnostic purposes. It cannot crack, bypass, or decrypt password-protected PDFs without the authorized password.
How does PDF Inspector differ from Remove PDF Metadata?
PDF Inspector examines and displays document metadata and technical properties for analysis. Remove PDF Metadata specifically purges and sanitizes metadata dictionaries to prevent privacy leaks before file distribution.
What is the difference between PDF Inspector and Compare PDF?
PDF Inspector inspects the internal properties of one single PDF. Compare PDF compares two different PDF documents to identify additions, deletions, text replacements, and visual pixel differences between revisions.
Is my PDF processed privately on my computer?
Yes. PDFZento parses PDF headers, object catalogs, and page dictionaries entirely within local browser memory using WebAssembly. No files or analytical data are transmitted to external servers.