Layer Manager
List, show, hide or delete the layers (optional content groups) in a PDF.
About this tool
Engineering drawings, maps, CAD exports and InDesign files often contain layers — PDF calls them optional content groups. A reader can switch them on and off, which also means content can be hidden from view while still being in the file.
Layer Manager lists every layer with its default visibility. Change which layers are visible when the file opens, or delete a layer completely: its drawing commands are removed from every page, not just hidden, so the information really leaves the file.
Deleting hidden layers is a good privacy step before sharing a file outside your organisation.
Engines: pdf-lib
How to use
- 1
Drop a PDF that contains layers.
- 2
For each layer choose Show, Hide or Delete.
- 3
Click Save layers and download the updated PDF.
Use cases
CAD and drawings
Publish a drawing with only the layers the client needs to see.
Print versions
Hide the dimension or annotation layer before printing.
Privacy
Delete hidden layers with internal notes before sending a file out.
Frequently asked questions
Is a hidden layer still in the file?
Yes — hiding only changes the default view. Choose Delete to remove the content permanently.
Why are no layers listed?
The PDF has no optional content groups. Many PDFs don't use layers at all.
Will deleting a layer affect other content?
Only content marked as belonging to that layer is removed; everything else is kept.
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