Clearing Author is only one part of the privacy check
A DOCX can contain several identity-related properties, so review Author together with Last Modified By, Company and custom properties.
WORD · AUTHOR
Remove Author metadata from a Word document
The Author property can identify the person or account that created a DOCX even when that name is absent from the visible document.
Quick answer
In OOXML Word files, the creator is commonly stored in the core properties package. MetWipe targets supported core document properties, creates a separate cleaned DOCX and verifies the rebuilt copy before you share it.
Author-related places to review
| Field / area | What it contains | Why review it |
|---|---|---|
| Author / Creator | Core document property | May contain the original creator or profile name. |
| Last Modified By | Core document property | Can expose a different editor than the original author. |
| Company / Manager | Application properties | Can reveal organization identity even after Author is cleared. |
| Comments / tracked changes | Document content and revision data | Names can still appear outside the basic Author property. |
Use the live MetWipe tool here
The functional tool is embedded on this page so this is not just an SEO guide or intermediate landing page. Your actual file operation uses the maintained MetWipe tool.
Remove supported Word author metadataOpen full Word tool
Why this specific task matters
Keep the editable master
Use a separate cleaned distribution copy when you still need the original metadata for your own records.
Review the document body after metadata cleanup
A typed signature, footer, comment or tracked revision can identify the author independently of metadata.
Safe workflow
- Open the live DOCX tool below and select the file.
- Inspect Author and the other supported identity fields.
- Create a cleaned copy when the Author property should not be shared.
- Verify the rebuilt DOCX, then inspect visible text, comments and revisions before distribution.
Limits to understand
Removing the supported Author property does not anonymize the document by itself. Visible names, comments, tracked changes, embedded content and other unsupported structures may still identify a person.
Need to remove more than Author?
If the goal is a broader distribution copy rather than one identity field, use the Word DOCX metadata remover to inspect and clean supported document properties together.
Related metadata tasks
Explore the Word metadata center
Compare the DOCX checker, broad remover and focused Author, Last Modified By and Company workflows from one place. Open Word Metadata Tools →