FAQs

Common questions about using DipperPDF. For step-by-step instructions, choose a tool from the documentation menu.

Is DipperPDF free?

Yes. DipperPDF is free and open source. You do not need an account or subscription. The source code is available on GitHub.

Which computers are supported?

DipperPDF runs on Apple silicon and Intel Macs with macOS 14 or later. There are no Windows or Linux versions in this repository. See Install.

Does it work offline?

Yes. Every PDF operation runs on your Mac, with no uploads, external PDF services, accounts, or in-app tracking. Downloading the app and reading this website require internet access. See Privacy & data.

Will my original file change?

Each tool saves a separate output. DipperPDF prevents saving over an imported source. Save a result, then import that copy into another tool if you want to combine operations.

Can I use password-protected PDFs?

Use Unlock PDF first with the password and permissions needed for the document. Other tools reject encrypted inputs even when they open without a password. DipperPDF does not crack passwords.

Can it read scanned text or convert Office files?

Extract Text exports an existing selectable text layer. It does not include OCR. The tools accept PDFs; Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and image conversion are not currently supported.

Why is my compressed PDF no smaller?

It may already be optimized or contain mostly text. DipperPDF keeps the original bytes when compression would increase the size. See Compress PDF.

Does cropping remove sensitive content?

No. Crop PDF hides content outside the visible area without deleting it. Metadata editing and annotation removal are also limited operations, not complete sanitization. DipperPDF does not currently provide a redaction tool.

Are signatures and advanced PDF features preserved?

Rewriting a PDF can invalidate digital signatures or alter bookmarks, accessibility tags, forms, and other advanced features. Keep the source and review the saved copy before using it as a replacement.

Can I process many files or chain tools?

Merge PDFs imports multiple PDFs. The other tools work on one input at a time. There is no automatic workflow builder: save a result and import it into the next tool.

Where can I get help?

Read Troubleshooting or report an issue on GitHub with reproducible steps and no private files.