What Metadata Is Stored in Word Documents?

Detected → Removed → Verified

The DOCX engine reads the OOXML package and checks core, application and custom document property files. Supported properties are removed or cleared, the DOCX package is rebuilt, and the resulting copy is re-opened and checked before MetWipe reports it as verified.

Word properties MetWipe currently targets

The implementation targets supported core properties, Company and Manager application properties, and detected custom document properties:

Custom document properties can expose internal data

Word DOCX packages can carry custom property names and values that are separate from the visible document. MetWipe can surface supported custom properties during the scan and remove them from the cleaned distribution copy. This detect → remove → re-scan path has been verified against a DOCX test containing custom project and customer fields.

Clean metadata from a Word DOCX file

1. Keep the original Word document as your source copy.
2. Open the MetWipe DOCX Metadata Remover.
3. Select the distribution copy you intend to share.
4. Review supported core, application and custom properties detected by the tool.
5. Create the cleaned copy and confirm the local verification result before publishing.

Metadata removal is not full document redaction

Comments, tracked changes, body text, macros, embedded media and other document content require separate review. Removing supported document properties does not make visible text, revision history or embedded content anonymous.

Why use a distribution copy?

Metadata can be useful in a working document. Preserve the original and clean the copy intended for external sharing so source information is not unnecessarily lost.

Related Word metadata tasks

Check a DOCX first or jump to a focused privacy task for common identity and organization properties.