Python: Flatten Forms in PDF

Flattening forms in PDF means transforming the interactive form fields (such as text boxes, checkboxes, and drop-down menus) into static content. Once a form is flattened, it cannot be edited or filled out anymore. When you need to maintain a permanent and unalterable record of a completed form, flattening is essential. This ensures that the data entered into the form fields cannot be modified or tampered with, providing a reliable reference for future use. In this article, we will demonstrate how to flatten forms in PDF in Python using Spire.PDF for Python.

• Flatten All Forms in a PDF in Python
• Flatten a Specific Form in a PDF in Python

Install Spire.PDF for Python

This scenario requires Spire.PDF for Python and plum-dispatch v1.7.4. They can be easily installed in your Windows through the following pip command.

pip install Spire.PDF

If you are unsure how to install, please refer to this tutorial: How to Install Spire.PDF for Python on Windows

Flatten All Forms in a PDF in Python

Spire.PDF for Python provides the PdfDocument.Form.IsFlatten property, which enables you to flatten all forms in a PDF file. The detailed steps are as follows.

• Create an object of the PdfDocument class.
• Load a PDF file using PdfDocument.LoadFromFile() method.
• Flatten all forms in the PDF file by setting the PdfDocument.Form.IsFlatten property to True.
• Save the result file using PdfDocument.SaveToFile() method.

from spire.pdf.common import *
from spire.pdf import *

# Specify the input and output PDF file paths
input_file = "Form.pdf"
output_file = "FlattenAll.pdf"

# Create an object of the PdfDocument class
doc = PdfDocument()
# Load a PDF file
doc.LoadFromFile(input_file)

# Flatten all forms in the PDF file
doc.Form.IsFlatten = True

# Save the result file
doc.SaveToFile(output_file)
doc.Close()

Flatten a Specific Form in a PDF in Python

To flatten a specific form in a PDF file, you can use the PdfField.Flatten property. The detailed steps are as follows.

• Create an object of the PdfDocument class.
• Load a PDF file using the PdfDocument.LoadFromFile() method.
• Get the forms of the PDF file using PdfDocument.Form property.
• Get a specific form by its index or name using PdfFormWidget.FieldsWidget.get_Item() method.
• Flatten the form by setting the PdfField.Flatten property to True.
• Save the result file using PdfDocument.SaveToFile() method.

from spire.pdf.common import *
from spire.pdf import *

# Specify the input and output PDF file paths
input_file = "Form.pdf"
output_file = "FlattenSpecific.pdf"

# Create an object of the PdfDocument class
doc = PdfDocument()
# Load a PDF file
doc.LoadFromFile(input_file)

# Get the forms of the PDF file
loadedForm = doc.Form

# Get a specific form by its index or name
formWidget = PdfFormWidget(loadedForm)
form = formWidget.FieldsWidget.get_Item(2)
# form = formWidget.FieldsWidget.get_Item("Address")

# Flatten the specific form
form.Flatten = True

# Save the result file
doc.SaveToFile(output_file)
doc.Close()

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