Minimizing Metadata

What is Metadata and should you be concerned?

When you create, open, or save a document, workbook or presentation, it may contain content that you do not want to share with others when you distribute it electronically. This information is known as metadata. Metadata is used for a variety of purposes to enhance the editing, viewing, filing, and retrieval of Office documents.

Some metadata is readily accessible through Word, Excel, and PowerPoint users interface. Other metadata is only accessible through extraordinary means, such as by opening a document, workbook or presentation in a low-level binary file editor.

Some examples of metadata that may be stored in your document, workbook or presentation are:

• Your name
• Your initials
• Your company or organization name
• The name of your computer
• The name of the network server or hard disk where you save the item
• Other file properties and summary information
• Non-visible portions of embedded objects
• Template information
• Comments

Click here for steps on how to minimize metadata.

NOTE: The linked document is provided as PDF document and requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to view it. The reader is available for free from Adobe's Web site.