How to Change the Document Name Shown in the Acrobat or Reader Tab
Question details
The user wants to change the name displayed in the tab when viewing a PDF, as the application shows the embedded document title rather than the actual filename.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat and Acrobat Reader
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Opening and viewing PDF files where the application tab displays an incorrect or outdated title instead of the saved filename.
- Observed behavior
- The Acrobat or Reader application tab displays the PDF's internal metadata title instead of the current filename.
Ensure you have updated your Adobe Acrobat or Reader Desktop to release 20.012.20041 or later, as earlier versions do not include the option to always display the filename.
Enable the Preference to Always Use Filename
Adjust your local Acrobat or Reader settings to force the application to display the filename in the tab instead of the document's metadata title.
Open Acrobat or Reader and navigate to Help > Check for Updates. Verify that you have version 20.012.20041 or higher installed.
Click on the Edit menu (or Acrobat menu on Mac) and select Preferences to open the settings window.
In the left-hand category pane of the Preferences window, select Documents.
Under the 'Open Settings' section, check the box labeled 'Always Use Filename as Document Title'. Click OK to save your changes.
Edit the PDF Document Metadata
Permanently change the embedded document title metadata so it displays correctly for everyone who opens the file, regardless of their local viewing preferences.
Edit PDF Metadata Seamlessly in WPS PDF
WPS Office provides a comprehensive and lightweight PDF editor. You can quickly modify PDF properties like the document title, ensuring the correct name is displayed when you or others view the file.
- 1. Open the PDF in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and open the PDF document whose title you want to change.
- 2. Access Document Properties: Click the Menu icon in the top-left corner, navigate to Document Info, and select Properties.
- 3. Update the Document Title: Under the Description tab, locate the 'Title' field. Modify the text to reflect your desired document name and click OK.
- 4. Save Your Changes: Press Ctrl + S or click the Save icon to permanently write the new metadata into the document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my PDF display a different name in the tab than the actual file name?
PDF files contain hidden metadata properties, including a 'Title' field. By default, many PDF viewers prioritize displaying this embedded title over the actual saved filename. This often happens if the PDF was exported from a Word document that already had a title set.
Can I permanently change the PDF title using Adobe Reader?
No, Adobe Reader is strictly a viewing application and lacks the tools to modify document metadata. To permanently change the embedded document title, you must use a PDF editor such as Adobe Acrobat or WPS PDF.
Will changing my local Adobe preferences fix the tab name for others?
No. Enabling the 'Always Use Filename as Document Title' preference only alters how PDFs appear on your specific computer. When you share the file, recipients will still see the embedded metadata title unless they have adjusted the same local settings or you edit the document's properties directly.
