Check what a file may reveal before you share it
Before sending a photo, PDF, or office document to a client, colleague, or public website, it can be worth checking its metadata. A picture may contain camera details or location coordinates; a document may retain an author name, creation dates, or application information. Select a file above to see which properties are available and decide whether they belong in the copy you plan to share.
Everyday reasons to inspect metadata
- Photos and screenshots: check for camera information, timestamps, and possible GPS coordinates before posting an image publicly.
- PDFs and office documents: review author, title, creator application, and date fields before distributing a report, proposal, or résumé.
- Files received from someone else: inspect available properties to understand how the file was created or exported.
- Preparing public downloads: make metadata review part of your publishing checklist, especially when a file came from a personal device or internal document.
How to check a file
- Choose the local file you want to inspect.
- Review the metadata groups the browser can read for that file type.
- Look closely at location fields, personal names, timestamps, software names, and document titles.
- If something should not be shared, remove or change it with an appropriate editor and inspect the saved copy again. This viewer is for inspection; do not assume that viewing a property removes it.
What metadata can tell you
Metadata is information stored alongside a file's main content. Depending on the format and the software that created it, it can include technical properties, dates, author details, camera settings, GPS coordinates, or a document title. Two files of the same type can expose different properties, and many files contain very little metadata.
Available fields depend on the file format and what has been retained. A missing GPS field does not prove that a photo has never contained location data, and a displayed author name does not prove who currently owns or sent the file. Treat metadata as clues about the file, not as a complete history or proof of identity.
Before sharing a sensitive file
- Check location data: coordinates can reveal where a photo was taken. Consider this before sharing images of your home, workplace, or children.
- Review personal details: author names and document titles can disclose information you did not intend to publish.
- Inspect the final copy: editing or exporting a file can add, remove, or preserve different fields. Check the exact version you will share.
- Do not confuse inspection with removal: use a trusted editor or the application's document-inspection tools to remove unwanted metadata, then verify the saved result.
- Respect confidentiality: only inspect files you are permitted to access.
Privacy and local processing
The file is processed in your browser rather than uploaded to a metadata-extraction service. That helps avoid sending the file to a separate conversion server, but it does not change the file itself or replace your organisation's security requirements. Keep your browser and device secure when working with confidential material.
Frequently asked questions
Can metadata reveal where a photo was taken?
Some photos include GPS coordinates, but many do not. Check the fields shown for the specific image rather than assuming every photo has location data.
Does this tool remove metadata?
No. It helps you inspect available metadata. If you need to remove fields, use an appropriate editor and inspect the resulting file again.
Why can’t I see the same fields in every file?
Metadata varies by format, device, application, export settings, and prior editing. A field may never have been recorded or may have been removed already.
Is a metadata date proof of when a file was created?
Not necessarily. Dates can be changed, copied, or reset during editing and export. Use them as context, not definitive evidence.