Strip PDF form fields but keep content inputted into the fields?

Creating a PDF form with image, text, and checkbox input fields involves using specialized software or libraries capable of PDF form creation, such as Adobe Acrobat or programming libraries like PyPDF2 or PDFBox. Once the form is created, content can be inputted programmatically into these fields using the chosen tool's functionalities.

The challenge arises when needing to strip the PDF of these input fields while retaining the content within them. This typically involves programmatically removing or flattening the form fields while preserving the inputted content—transforming text input fields into plain text and retaining image content. This step is crucial for compatibility with third-party software that doesn't handle form fields effectively.

There is a flattener among the (free) abracadabraTools:

https://www.abracadabrapdf.net/utilitaires/utilities-in-english/abracadabratools_en/

You can do that using a simple script:

this.flattenPages();

If you want it to not flatten some fields then you would need to set them first as non-printing (ie. either hidden or visible, but doesn't print), then run this command:

this.flattenPages({bNonPrint: 1});

Just be aware this process is NOT reversible, so make sure to save the flattened file under a new name, or to keep a backup of the original somewhere.

Just print to PDF when you're done filling file.