How to change a PDF's title and author

To change a PDF's title and author, open the file in a metadata editor, type the new title, author and subject into the fields, and save a copy. The new title is what many readers show in their title bar or tab, and the author is what anyone sees in the file's properties. It takes a minute, and it is worth doing before you share anything important.

What is PDF metadata?

PDF metadata is information stored inside the file about the file itself, rather than on its pages. You cannot see it while reading, but anyone can view it in the document properties.

Common fields include:

Title: the document's name. Not the same as the file name.
Author: often filled in automatically with the name on the computer or account that made the file.
Subject: a short description.
Keywords: words that help some search tools find the file.
Creator and producer: the app that made the document and the one that turned it into a PDF.
Dates: when the file was created and last changed.

Why does the PDF title matter?

The title and the file name are separate. You might name a file "Smith_CV_final.pdf", but if the title field still says "Document1" or "Untitled", that is what many viewers display at the top. Some web browsers show the title on the tab, and some search engines use it as the headline in search results.

A clear title looks more professional and makes the document easier to find later.

Why you might want to change the author

The author field often holds something you did not choose:

the name of a former employer, if you started from an old company template;
a computer's default name, such as "User" or "Admin";
a colleague's name, if they created the first draft;
your full name on a document you want to share without it.

Changing it takes the same few steps as changing the title.

How to edit PDF metadata, step by step

Open the PDF in a tool that can edit metadata.
Look at the current values first. You may be surprised what is there.
Type a clear title, for example "Jane Smith – CV – 2026" or "Riverside Flat Lease".
Set the author to your name, your organization, or leave it blank.
Add a subject if it helps, such as "Tenancy agreement for Flat 2".
Save as a new file.
Reopen the saved copy and check the document properties to confirm the change stuck.

How to see a PDF's metadata

To check a file before sending it, open it in any PDF app that has a "properties", "document info" or "file info" option. It usually shows the title, author, page count, file size and dates. Do this for files you received too: metadata can tell you which app made a document and when, which is useful background when judging whether a file is genuine. Our guide on spotting signs a document was edited explains how to read those clues carefully.

Is changing metadata enough to remove personal information?

Not always. The visible fields are the main place personal details hide, but there can be others:

A second copy of the metadata. Many PDFs also carry an extra block of metadata in a format called XMP. Some tools update both, some only one.
Annotations and comments with reviewers' names attached.
Text on the pages themselves, such as a name in a footer or a reference number.
Hidden layers or cropped areas, where content still exists outside the visible frame.

If the document is sensitive, also remove or redact the personal details on the pages. Our guide on how to redact a PDF properly covers that. And if you are about to paste a document into an AI chatbot, see how to hide your personal details before sending a PDF to ChatGPT.

Good habits for metadata

Set the title every time you export an important document, such as a CV, a proposal or a report.
Check templates. If you reuse an old file as a starting point, its metadata comes along.
Keep author names consistent for business documents, so files from your company look the same.
Do not rely on metadata as proof. Anyone can change it, so treat it as a clue, never as evidence on its own.

Editing metadata with PDF Burrow

PDF Burrow has an Edit Metadata tool to change a PDF's title, author and subject, and a PDF Info tool to inspect the metadata, page count and size before you share. Both work on your phone, so the document stays on your device.

Frequently asked questions

Does changing the title rename the file?

No. The file name and the title field are separate. Rename the file in your file manager as well if you want both to match.

Can I remove the author completely?

Usually yes. Clear the author field and save. Check the properties afterwards, since some apps fill it in again when they save.

Does editing metadata change the content of the pages?

No. Metadata is stored separately from the pages, so the text, images and layout stay exactly the same.

Will editing metadata break a digital signature?

It can. Any change to a signed PDF may make the signature show as invalid. Edit metadata before the document is signed.