PDF Editing Issues

How to Change PDF Document Properties and Author Name

Algirdas Jasaitis Oct 23, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to modify or remove incorrect document properties, such as the author name, which are embedded in a PDF file.

How to Change PDF Document Properties and Author Name

Product: PDF
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Publishing or sharing a PDF file where the user realizes the metadata shows an incorrect author alias or title, usually inherited from the original word processor.
Observed behavior: The PDF displays an incorrect author name or metadata inherited from the original Microsoft Word document. Basic PDF readers do not allow direct editing of these document properties.

Before you start

Ensure the PDF file is not encrypted with a permissions password. If editing is restricted, you must obtain authorization and enter the password before modifying any properties.

Solution 1Recommended

Update Metadata in the Original Word Document

The safest and most reliable method is to correct the author details in the source document and re-export the PDF.

PDF properties are frequently inherited from the original file used to generate them. By fixing the metadata at the source, you ensure that any future exports will always have the correct author and title information.

Open the Source Document

Launch Microsoft Word or your preferred word processor and open the original document used to create the PDF.

Access Document Properties

Click on 'File' in the top-left corner, then select 'Info' to view the current document properties.

Modify the Author Name

In the Properties panel on the right, locate the 'Author' field. Right-click or hover over the incorrect name to edit or remove it, and type in the correct information.

Re-export as PDF

Save the changes to your document. Click 'File', choose 'Save As', select 'PDF' from the format dropdown, and save the new PDF with the updated properties.

Update Metadata in the Original Word Document

Best Practice: Always keep your source files organized. Updating properties in the source prevents repetitive work if you need to generate updated versions of the PDF later.

Solution 2

Edit Properties Directly Using a Premium PDF Editor

If you no longer have access to the original Word document, you can edit the metadata directly using a full-featured PDF editor like Adobe Acrobat Pro.

Solution 3

Manually Edit Metadata Using a Text Editor (Advanced)

For advanced users, unencrypted PDFs can sometimes be modified by directly editing the file's raw code using a robust text editor.

Edit PDFs Easily with WPS Office

Manage Document Properties and Edit PDFs with WPS Office

WPS Office offers a comprehensive suite for both Word document creation and PDF editing. You can easily adjust document properties in your source file or use the built-in PDF toolkit to seamlessly manage metadata, edit text, and organize pages without switching between multiple software programs.

1. Open Your Document in WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office and open the original document you wish to convert.
2. Edit Properties: Click on 'Menu' at the top left, go to 'Document Properties' (or 'Properties'), and update the Author and Title fields to the correct information.
3. Export to PDF: Click 'Menu' and select 'Export to PDF'. WPS Office will instantly generate a clean PDF containing your accurately updated properties.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word documents, preserving original metadata and formatting.Built-in PDF editor lets you modify text, pages, and annotations seamlessly.Lightweight, fast, and completely free to download across Windows, Mac, and mobile platforms.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my PDF show someone else's name as the author?

This usually happens when the PDF is exported from a word processing document that was originally created by another user or based on a template. The software saves the original creator's name in the document's metadata, which is then embedded into the final PDF upon export.

Can I edit PDF properties in a free PDF reader?

Most standard, free PDF readers only allow you to view document properties (typically accessed via File > Properties). To edit them directly without the original source file, you generally need a premium or dedicated PDF editor.

How can I remove all metadata from a PDF before sharing it?

You can remove metadata by using a premium PDF editor's 'Sanitize Document' or 'Remove Hidden Information' tool. Alternatively, you can completely clear the properties fields in your original word processing document before exporting it as a new PDF.

What should I do if the PDF properties are greyed out and cannot be edited?

If properties are greyed out in your PDF editor, the file is likely protected by a permissions password. You will need to click on File > Properties > Security and enter the correct password to unlock editing capabilities.

PDF Troubleshooting