How to Find the Author, Title, & Subject of Any PDF

Finding the embedded metadata of a PDF is essential for managing digital documents and ensuring accurate attribution. Metadata fields like author, title, and subject describe a PDF's contents, origin, and purpose. Whether you’re organizing research papers, verifying document origin, or preparing content for publishing, pdfAssistant allows you to view this information instantly. Here's how to check your PDF’s metadata in just a few steps.

View PDF Metadata – Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Sign Up for Free to Get Started
2. Start a conversation with pdfAssistant.
3. Type: "I need to find the author, title, and subject of several PDFs."
4. Upload your PDF files when prompted.
5. Confirm your request by asking:
   "Provide me with the Title, Author and subject of each of these files?”
6. pdfAssistant will analyze your file and return available metadata relevant to your request.
7. Use this information to properly catalog, cite, or review your document before sharing, archiving, or repurposing it.

Why PDF Metadata Matters

PDF metadata may seem like background information, but it plays a critical role in document management, compliance, searchability, and credibility. Embedded metadata can:

• Identify the source or creator of a document.
• Help ensure documents are correctly attributed or categorized.
• Enable document tracking and version control.
• Improve searchability in content management systems or academic databases.

By reviewing a PDF’s metadata before distributing or filing, you help maintain content accuracy and integrity.

Benefits of Using pdfAssistant to View PDF Metadata

• No Installation Required: Skip complex tools—just upload and ask.
• Instant Visibility: Quickly find out who created a document, when, and what it’s about.
• Effortless Insight: View fields like author, title, subject, and keywords without opening advanced editors.
• Trusted Accuracy: Uses the pdfRest Query PDF REST API tool powered by the Adobe® PDF Library™ for precise results.

Industry Use Cases for PDF Metadata Extraction

⚖️ Legal: Streamlining Document Review

• Confirm document authorship or version history before submission.
• Identify misattributed or missing metadata in legal briefs and evidence files.

🏥 Healthcare: Optimizing Records Management

• Validate report origin before integrating into patient records.
• Check author details on clinical research papers and medical literature.

💰 Finance: Accelerating Data Insights

• Track metadata for document ownership, authorship, and revision dates.
• Review internal report metadata before external release or audit.

🎓 Education: Enhancing Research & Study

• Ensure proper attribution for theses, research papers, and instructional materials.
• Verify subjects and titles for publication in academic databases.

📚 Publishing & Marketing: Fueling Content Creation

• Prepare metadata for SEO or publication platforms.
• Verify branding and attribution in reports or whitepapers.

🏢 Corporate IT: Auditing & Governance

• Audit internal documentation for proper metadata tagging and governance.
• Automate file management by using metadata to sort or classify files.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Viewing PDF Metadata

Is it free to check PDF metadata with pdfAssistant?

Yes! pdfAssistant offers a free Starter plan with free monthly credits, allowing you to check PDF metadata and try out our powerful features. For continued use, we also offer flexible subscription plans and one-time credit purchases to fit your needs.

What kind of metadata can I view with pdfAssistant?

pdfAssistant can display common metadata fields, including the document's Title, Author, Subject, Creation Date, and Modification Date. It provides key insights into the document's origin and purpose without needing to open it in a complex editor.

Can I edit the metadata of a PDF with pdfAssistant?

Currently, pdfAssistant is a metadata viewing tool. We can provide you with the information, but it does not allow for editing or modifying the metadata.

Does viewing PDF metadata require software installation?

No, that's one of the key advantages! pdfAssistant is an entirely online tool. You do not need to download or install any special software on your computer or device to view your PDF files' metadata.

Is my privacy protected when viewing PDF metadata online?

Yes, your privacy and security are paramount. Your files are processed using industry-standard security practices, including encryption in transit and at rest. For your convenience, files are stored for 24 hours to allow for downloads. After this period, they are permanently deleted without any trace remaining.

Conclusion

Metadata tells the story behind every PDF—from who wrote it to what it’s about and when it was created. With pdfAssistant, finding this information is as easy as asking. No software. No complexity. Just immediate answers that help you stay informed and organized.

Whether you're a publisher, legal professional, researcher, or records manager, pdfAssistant helps you unlock document intelligence and take control of your content.

Try pdfAssistant today and see what your PDFs have to say.