Document properties and metadata overview

Last updated on Aug 16, 2025

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.