Monday, December 7, 2015

Acrobat/Reader -- Anonymize Comments (FREE)


Now available for free!

This script will change the names of all authors of comments to a single value.
Handy for workflows in which multiple people comment on the same document, or if you just don't want others to know who commented on the file.
You can choose to either simply remove the author's name from all comments in the file, or to replace them with a new value, such as "anonymous".

Update: This script now includes a Batch Process (or Action) that allows you to run it on multiple files. Requires Acrobat Pro.

The basic version will also work in the free Reader, assuming Commenting is allowed.

Example:

Before:



The dialog box:



After:





If you have any questions regarding this tool, contact me directly, and if you find this tool useful and would like to donate, it's always appreciated!

16 comments:

acfrery said...

Excelent! A really useful script.

Unknown said...

Very useful. Excellent!

clipa said...

Well done! Thank you!..

Tom Wassmer said...

Thanks a lot. Reader DC did not execute the batch script but the installed js worked. Thanks again!

Gilad D. (try67) said...

@Tom Wassmer

Yes, the Batch version is only for Acrobat Pro.

Debby said...

AWESOME! Work liked a charm - THANKS!!

Unknown said...

Hi, the batch function isn't working... possible to help debug it?

Gilad D. (try67) said...

Sure! Contact me privately for help with it.

Unknown said...

thank you for sharing this tool! I can't see any javascript in my Adobe reader, so am not sure where to put the .js file - can you help?

Gilad D. (try67) said...

If you're on a Mac then you will need to create this folder if it's not already there, yes.

Unknown said...

thanks for your fast response! I am on a PC, the path looks like this: C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Acrobat Reader DC\Reader\acrocef_2

Gilad D. (try67) said...

Under the Reader folder there should be a \JavaScripts sub-folder, or maybe Privileged\JavaScripts.

Unknown said...

I tried to create it and get a JavaScript icon under Tools in the programme. Selecting it takes me to a page where I can buy Acrobat Pro, so it seems like Adobe has made changes :( Probably still works with the pro version though. Thanks again for your help.

Unknown said...

is it possible to also remove the time?

Gilad D. (try67) said...

> is it possible to also remove the time?

No, but it is possible to set all the created-on dates to the same value, such as 01/01/1970 (the JS epoch time). Contact me privately if you're interested in this modification to the script.

William R. Wood said...

Worked perfectly. Saved me so much time. Thanks.