Many shared properties — author, title, dates, keywords, revision details, and other document properties — apply across the Office formats (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and, in some cases, PDF and image files. Expand Metadata by file type for a complete breakdown per format, or Metadata by category to compare metadata types across all formats.
Supported actions
| Action | Description |
|---|---|
| Preserve | Keep the metadata as-is — no changes made |
| Remove | Delete the metadata from the document |
| Replace | Replace the metadata value with a specified string (e.g. replace author with your firm name) |
| Flatten | Convert interactive elements (form fields, structured document tags) to static content |
Metadata by file type
Expand a file type below to review every metadata type Draftable Clean can clean for that format, and which actions are available for each type.Word (.docx, .doc)
Word (.docx, .doc)
Personal Information
| Metadata type | Actions |
|---|---|
| Author | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Company | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Extended Property | Preserve, Remove |
| Last Saved By | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Manager | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Producer | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| User Address | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| User Initials | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| User Name | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
Document Properties
| Metadata type | Actions |
|---|---|
| Category | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Characters | Preserve, Remove |
| Characters With Spaces | Preserve, Remove |
| Content Status | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Created Date | Preserve, Remove |
| Description | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Document Variable | Preserve, Remove |
| Document Version | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Identifier | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Ink Annotation | Preserve, Remove |
| Keywords | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Language | Preserve, Remove |
| Lines | Preserve, Remove |
| Modified Date | Preserve, Remove |
| Pages | Preserve, Remove |
| Paragraphs | Preserve, Remove |
| Printed Date | Preserve, Remove |
| Revision Number | Preserve, Remove |
| Security | Preserve, Remove |
| Shared Document | Preserve, Remove |
| Smart Tag | Preserve, Remove |
| Structured Document Tag | Preserve, Remove, Flatten |
| Subject | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Thumbnail | Preserve, Remove |
| Title | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Total Editing Time | Preserve, Remove |
| Words | Preserve, Remove |
Tracked Changes & Comments
| Metadata type | Actions |
|---|---|
| Comments | Preserve, Remove |
| Comments Author | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Comments Date | Preserve, Remove |
| Tracked Changes | Preserve, Remove |
| Tracked Changes Author | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Tracked Changes Date | Preserve, Remove |
Document Content
| Metadata type | Actions |
|---|---|
| Bookmarks | Preserve, Remove |
| Hidden Text | Preserve, Remove |
| Highlighted Text | Preserve, Remove |
| Hyperlinks | Preserve, Remove |
| Obfuscated Text | Preserve, Remove |
| Ole Object | Preserve, Remove |
| Small Text | Preserve, Remove |
| Xml Comment | Preserve, Remove |
Other Metadata
| Metadata type | Actions |
|---|---|
| Custom Property | Preserve, Remove |
| Custom Ui | Preserve, Remove |
| Custom Xml | Preserve, Remove |
| Unclassified | Preserve, Remove |
| Vba Code | Preserve, Remove |
PDF (.pdf)
PDF (.pdf)
Personal Information
| Metadata type | Actions |
|---|---|
| Author | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Creator | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Manager | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Producer | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
Document Properties
| Metadata type | Actions |
|---|---|
| Annotation | Preserve, Remove |
| Created Date | Preserve, Remove |
| Description | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Document Version | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Identifier | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Keywords | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Language | Preserve, Remove |
| Modified Date | Preserve, Remove |
| Subject | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Title | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
Tracked Changes & Comments
| Metadata type | Actions |
|---|---|
| Comments Author | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Comments Date | Preserve, Remove |
Document Content
| Metadata type | Actions |
|---|---|
| Attached Files | Preserve, Remove |
| Bookmarks | Preserve, Remove |
| Form Fields | Preserve, Remove, Flatten |
| Hyperlinks | Preserve, Remove |
Other Metadata
| Metadata type | Actions |
|---|---|
| Custom Property | Preserve, Remove |
| Digital Signature | Preserve, Remove |
| JavaScript | Preserve, Remove |
| Unclassified | Preserve, Remove |
Excel (.xlsx)
Excel (.xlsx)
Personal Information
| Metadata type | Actions |
|---|---|
| Author | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Company | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Extended Property | Preserve, Remove |
| Last Saved by | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Manager | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Producer | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
Document Properties
| Metadata type | Actions |
|---|---|
| Category | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Characters | Preserve, Remove |
| Characters With Spaces | Preserve, Remove |
| Content Status | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Created Date | Preserve, Remove |
| Description | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Document Version | Preserve, Remove |
| Identifier | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Ink Annotation | Preserve, Remove |
| Keywords | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Language | Preserve, Remove |
| Lines | Preserve, Remove |
| Modified Date | Preserve, Remove |
| Pages | Preserve, Remove |
| Paragraphs | Preserve, Remove |
| Printed Date | Preserve, Remove |
| Revision Number | Preserve, Remove |
| Security | Preserve, Remove |
| Shared Document | Preserve, Remove |
| Smart Tag | Preserve, Remove |
| Subject | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Thumbnail | Preserve, Remove |
| Title | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Total Editing Time | Preserve, Remove |
| Words | Preserve, Remove |
Document Content
| Metadata type | Actions |
|---|---|
| Alternative Text | Preserve, Remove |
| Charts | Preserve, Remove |
| Footer | Preserve, Remove |
| Formula | Preserve, Remove |
| Header | Preserve, Remove |
| Hidden Column | Preserve, Remove |
| Hidden Object | Preserve, Remove |
| Hidden Rows | Preserve, Remove |
| Hidden Sheet | Preserve, Remove |
| Hyperlinks | Preserve, Remove |
| Links | Preserve, Remove |
| Obfuscated Text | Preserve, Remove |
| Ole Object | Preserve, Remove |
| Picture | Preserve, Remove |
| Small Text | Preserve, Remove |
| Xml Comment | Preserve, Remove |
Other Metadata
| Metadata type | Actions |
|---|---|
| Custom Property | Preserve, Remove |
| Custom Ui | Preserve, Remove |
| Custom Views | Preserve, Remove |
| Custom Xml | Preserve, Remove |
| Data Connections | Preserve, Remove |
| Defined Name | Preserve, Remove |
| Defined Name Comment | Preserve, Remove |
| Printer Settings | Preserve, Remove |
| Scenario Comment | Preserve, Remove |
| Scenarios | Preserve, Remove |
| Unclassified | Preserve, Remove |
| Vba Code | Preserve, Remove |
| Worksheet Property | Preserve, Remove |
For the Formula type, choosing Remove clears the formula from each cell while leaving the last-calculated value in place. Detected formula cell references are surfaced in the viewer as a comma-separated list per worksheet.
PowerPoint (.pptx)
PowerPoint (.pptx)
Tracked Changes & Comments
| Metadata type | Actions |
|---|---|
| Comments | Preserve, Remove |
Personal Information
| Metadata type | Actions |
|---|---|
| Author | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Company | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Extended Property | Preserve, Remove |
| Last Saved By | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Manager | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Producer | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
Document Properties
| Metadata type | Actions |
|---|---|
| Category | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Characters | Preserve, Remove |
| Characters With Spaces | Preserve, Remove |
| Content Status | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Created Date | Preserve, Remove |
| Description | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Document Version | Preserve, Remove |
| Identifier | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Ink Annotation | Preserve, Remove |
| Keywords | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Language | Preserve, Remove |
| Lines | Preserve, Remove |
| Modified Date | Preserve, Remove |
| Pages | Preserve, Remove |
| Paragraphs | Preserve, Remove |
| Printed Date | Preserve, Remove |
| Revision Number | Preserve, Remove |
| Security | Preserve, Remove |
| Shared Document | Preserve, Remove |
| Subject | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Thumbnail | Preserve, Remove |
| Title | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Total Editing Time | Preserve, Remove |
| Words | Preserve, Remove |
Document Content
| Metadata type | Actions |
|---|---|
| Alternative Text | Preserve, Remove |
| Animations | Preserve, Remove |
| Audio Files | Preserve, Remove |
| Footer | Preserve, Remove |
| Header | Preserve, Remove |
| Hidden Object | Preserve, Remove |
| Hidden Slide | Preserve, Remove |
| Hyperlinks | Preserve, Remove |
| Notes | Preserve, Remove |
| Obfuscated Text | Preserve, Remove |
| Off Slide Content | Preserve, Remove |
| Ole Object | Preserve, Remove |
| Small Text | Preserve, Remove |
| Video Files | Preserve, Remove |
| Xml Comment | Preserve, Remove |
Other Metadata
| Metadata type | Actions |
|---|---|
| Custom Ui | Preserve, Remove |
| Custom Xml | Preserve, Remove |
| Presentation Tag | Preserve, Remove |
| Slide Tag | Preserve, Remove |
| Unclassified | Preserve, Remove |
| Unused Master | Preserve, Remove |
| Vba Code | Preserve, Remove |
Image files
Image files
Personal Information
| Metadata type | Actions |
|---|---|
| Author | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Creator | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Location | Preserve, Remove |
| Producer | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
Document Properties
| Metadata type | Actions |
|---|---|
| Category | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Created Date | Preserve, Remove |
| Description | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Document Version | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Identifier | Preserve, Remove |
| Keywords | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Language | Preserve, Remove |
| Modified Date | Preserve, Remove |
| Subject | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
| Title | Preserve, Remove, Replace |
Document Content
| Metadata type | Actions |
|---|---|
| Exif | Preserve, Remove |
| Icc Profile | Preserve, Remove |
| Iptc | Preserve, Remove |
| Maker Note | Preserve, Remove |
| Xmp | Preserve, Remove |
Other Metadata
| Metadata type | Actions |
|---|---|
| Custom Property | Preserve, Remove |
Metadata by category
Expand a category below to review metadata types across all supported file formats, including descriptions, risk levels, and which file types each type applies to.Personal Information
Personal Information
Metadata that directly identifies individuals or organizations involved in the document.
In the metadata viewer, the Author and Creator fields are both shown under the single label Author for a clearer review experience. They remain distinct underlying metadata types and can still be configured independently in the profile editor.
| Metadata type | Description | Risk | Actions | File types |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Author | The name of the document author | High | Preserve, Remove, Replace | PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Image |
| Company | The company name in document properties | High | Preserve, Remove, Replace | Word, Excel, PowerPoint |
| Creator | The creator of the document (may differ from author) | High | Preserve, Remove, Replace | PDF, Image |
| Last Saved By | The user who last saved the document | High | Preserve, Remove, Replace | Word, Excel, PowerPoint |
| Manager | The manager field from document properties | High | Preserve, Remove, Replace | PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint |
| Producer | The application that produced the document (e.g. PDF producer) | High | Preserve, Remove, Replace | PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Image |
| User Address | The user address stored in the document | High | Preserve, Remove, Replace | Word |
| User Initials | The user initials stored in the document | High | Preserve, Remove, Replace | Word |
| User Name | The user name stored in the document | High | Preserve, Remove, Replace | Word |
| Extended Property | An extended file property not individually classified | High | Preserve, Remove | Word, Excel, PowerPoint |
| Location | GPS location data embedded in images — reveals where a photo was taken | High | Preserve, Remove | Image |
Document Properties
Document Properties
Core document metadata including titles, dates, counts, and structural information.
| Metadata type | Description | Risk | Actions | File types |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | The category classification of the document | High | Preserve, Remove, Replace | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Image |
| Content Status | The content status field (e.g. Draft, Final) | High | Preserve, Remove, Replace | Word, Excel, PowerPoint |
| Created Date | When the document was originally created | High | Preserve, Remove | PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Image |
| Description | The document description or summary field | High | Preserve, Remove, Replace | PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Image |
| Document Version | The version number of the document | High | Preserve, Remove, Replace | PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Image |
| Identifier | A unique identifier for the document (e.g. internal tracking number) | High | Preserve, Remove, Replace | PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Image |
| Keywords | Keywords or tags associated with the document | High | Preserve, Remove, Replace | PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Image |
| Language | The language setting of the document | High | Preserve, Remove | PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Image |
| Modified Date | When the document was last modified | High | Preserve, Remove | PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Image |
| Printed Date | When the document was last printed | High | Preserve, Remove | Word, Excel, PowerPoint |
| Revision Number | How many times the document has been saved | High | Preserve, Remove | Word, Excel, PowerPoint |
| Security | Security settings and permissions metadata | High | Preserve, Remove | Word, Excel, PowerPoint |
| Shared Document | Shared document collaboration metadata | High | Preserve, Remove | Word, Excel, PowerPoint |
| Subject | The document subject field | High | Preserve, Remove, Replace | PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Image |
| Title | The document title — may contain project or client names | High | Preserve, Remove, Replace | PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Image |
| Total Editing Time | Total time spent editing the document | High | Preserve, Remove | Word, Excel, PowerPoint |
| Annotation | PDF annotations or markup | Low | Preserve, Remove | |
| Characters | Character count stored in document properties | Low | Preserve, Remove | Word, Excel, PowerPoint |
| Characters (with spaces) | Character count including spaces | Low | Preserve, Remove | Word, Excel, PowerPoint |
| Document Variable | Document variables used by macros or fields | Low | Preserve, Remove | Word |
| Ink Annotation | Ink/pen annotations (e.g. from tablet input) | Low | Preserve, Remove | Word, Excel, PowerPoint |
| Lines | Line count stored in document properties | Low | Preserve, Remove | Word, Excel, PowerPoint |
| Pages | Page count stored in document properties | Low | Preserve, Remove | Word, Excel, PowerPoint |
| Paragraphs | Paragraph count stored in document properties | Low | Preserve, Remove | Word, Excel, PowerPoint |
| Smart Tag | Smart tags providing contextual actions on recognized content | Low | Preserve, Remove | Word, Excel |
| Structured Document Tag | Content controls in Word documents | Low | Preserve, Remove, Flatten | Word |
| Thumbnail | Thumbnail preview image stored in the document | Low | Preserve, Remove | Word, Excel, PowerPoint |
| Words | Word count stored in document properties | Low | Preserve, Remove | Word, Excel, PowerPoint |
Tracked Changes & Comments
Tracked Changes & Comments
Revision history and reviewer feedback — often the highest-risk metadata in legal documents.
| Metadata type | Description | Risk | Actions | File types |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comments | Comments and annotations added by reviewers | High | Preserve, Remove | Word, PowerPoint |
| Tracked Changes | Tracked changes (revisions) showing the full edit history | High | Preserve, Remove | Word |
| Tracked Changes Author | The author names attached to each tracked change | High | Preserve, Remove, Replace | Word |
| Tracked Changes Date | Timestamps on tracked changes | High | Preserve, Remove | Word |
| Comments Author | The author name attached to each comment | Low | Preserve, Remove, Replace | PDF, Word |
| Comments Date | Timestamps on comments | Low | Preserve, Remove | PDF, Word |
Document Content
Document Content
Document content that may contain hidden, embedded, or sensitive material.
| Metadata type | Description | Risk | Actions | File types |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attached Files | Files embedded or attached to the document | Medium | Preserve, Remove | |
| Bookmarks | Bookmarks used for navigation — may reveal document structure | Medium | Preserve, Remove | PDF, Word |
| Form Fields | Interactive form fields — flattening converts them to static text | Low | Preserve, Remove, Flatten | |
| Hidden Text | Hidden text not visible in normal view | Low | Preserve, Remove | Word |
| Highlighted Text | Highlighted text in the document | Low | Preserve, Remove | Word |
| Alternative Text | Alt text on shapes, images, and objects — may contain descriptive notes or internal labels | Medium | Preserve, Remove | Excel, PowerPoint |
| Animations | Slide animations and transitions | Low | Preserve, Remove | PowerPoint |
| Audio Files | Audio media embedded in the presentation | Low | Preserve, Remove | PowerPoint |
| Charts | Embedded charts (may contain data ranges with sensitive information) | Low | Preserve, Remove | Excel |
| EXIF | EXIF metadata (camera model, capture settings, timestamps, device information) | Medium | Preserve, Remove | Image |
| Footer | Page footers — may contain confidential labels or organization names | Low | Preserve, Remove | Excel, PowerPoint |
| Formula | Cell formulas, which can expose calculation logic, source references, or linked data | Medium | Preserve, Remove | Excel |
| Header | Page headers — may contain confidential labels or author information | Low | Preserve, Remove | Excel, PowerPoint |
| Hidden Column | Hidden columns that may contain data not intended for sharing | Medium | Preserve, Remove | Excel |
| Hidden Object | Objects hidden from normal view — may contain content not intended for sharing | Medium | Preserve, Remove | Excel, PowerPoint |
| Hidden Rows | Hidden rows that may contain data not intended for sharing | Medium | Preserve, Remove | Excel |
| Hidden Sheet | Hidden worksheets that may contain working or sensitive data | High | Preserve, Remove | Excel |
| Hidden Slide | Slides hidden from the presentation — may contain draft or confidential content | High | Preserve, Remove | PowerPoint |
| Hyperlinks | Hyperlinks that may point to internal or sensitive URLs | Low | Preserve, Remove | Word, PDF, Excel, PowerPoint |
| ICC Profile | Embedded colour profile information | Low | Preserve, Remove | Image |
| IPTC | IPTC metadata (captions, creator, copyright, keywords) | Medium | Preserve, Remove | Image |
| Links | Links to external files or data sources in the workbook | Medium | Preserve, Remove | Excel |
| Maker Note | Camera manufacturer-specific metadata (may contain serial numbers) | Medium | Preserve, Remove | Image |
| Notes | Speaker notes attached to slides — may contain internal talking points | High | Preserve, Remove | PowerPoint |
| Obfuscated Text | Text obfuscated by color (e.g. white text on white background) | Low | Preserve, Remove | Word, Excel, PowerPoint |
| Off-slide Content | Content positioned outside the visible slide area | High | Preserve, Remove | PowerPoint |
| OLE Objects | Embedded objects (e.g. Excel spreadsheets, Visio diagrams) | Low | Preserve, Remove | Word, Excel, PowerPoint |
| Picture | Images embedded in the spreadsheet | Low | Preserve, Remove | Excel |
| Small Text | Very small text that may be used to hide content | Low | Preserve, Remove | Word, Excel, PowerPoint |
| Video Files | Video media embedded in the presentation | Low | Preserve, Remove | PowerPoint |
| XML Comments | XML comments embedded in the document structure | Low | Preserve, Remove | Word, Excel, PowerPoint |
| XMP | Adobe XMP records (authorship, editing history, and other metadata) | Medium | Preserve, Remove | Image |
Other Metadata
Other Metadata
Application-specific, custom, and miscellaneous metadata.
| Metadata type | Description | Risk | Actions | File types |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Custom Property | Custom document properties added by users or applications | Medium | Preserve, Remove | PDF, Word, Excel, Image |
| Custom UI | Custom UI elements (ribbon customisations) stored in the document | Low | Preserve, Remove | Word, Excel, PowerPoint |
| Custom Views | Saved custom views of the workbook | Low | Preserve, Remove | Excel |
| Custom XML | Custom XML data stored within the document | Low | Preserve, Remove | Word, Excel, PowerPoint |
| Data Connections | External data connections — may expose internal server names or database connection strings | High | Preserve, Remove | Excel |
| Defined Name | Named ranges and defined names in the workbook | Low | Preserve, Remove | Excel |
| Defined Name Comment | Comments attached to named ranges | Medium | Preserve, Remove | Excel |
| Digital Signature | Cryptographic signatures — removing invalidates document authenticity | Low | Preserve, Remove | |
| JavaScript | JavaScript actions embedded in the document — can pose security risks | Low | Preserve, Remove | |
| Presentation Tag | Presentation-level custom tags | Medium | Preserve, Remove | PowerPoint |
| Printer Settings | Printer configuration — may reveal internal printer names or network paths | Medium | Preserve, Remove | Excel |
| Scenario Comment | Comments attached to what-if scenarios | Medium | Preserve, Remove | Excel |
| Scenarios | What-if analysis scenarios — may contain sensitive financial projections | Medium | Preserve, Remove | Excel |
| Slide Tag | Per-slide custom tags | Medium | Preserve, Remove | PowerPoint |
| Unclassified | Metadata that does not fit into any other category | Low | Preserve, Remove | PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint |
| Unused Master | Unused slide master layouts — may carry branding from other organizations | Low | Preserve, Remove | PowerPoint |
| VBA Code | VBA macro code — can pose security risks if shared externally | Low | Preserve, Remove | Word, Excel, PowerPoint |
| Worksheet Property | Worksheet properties such as code names and tab colours | Low | Preserve, Remove | Excel |
Configurable per profile
All metadata types listed above can be individually configured within cleaning profiles. Each metadata type can be set to its supported action on a per-profile basis, giving you full control over what is removed, preserved, or replaced for each document type.
Where a metadata type supports Replace, you can specify a custom replacement value — for example, replacing individual author names with your firm name, or replacing document titles with a generic label.
Administrators can require specific metadata types to always be removed across every cleaning profile using the enforce must-clean metadata types policy. See Configuring preferences with Group Policy for details.