<meta> : The Metadata Element

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Summary
Usage
Supported Attributes
Notes
Examples
See Also

Summary

The <meta> element provides metadata about the PDF document. It sets document properties like author, description, keywords, and configures PDF-specific settings such as security permissions and encryption.

Usage

The <meta> element provides document metadata that:

Sets PDF document properties (author, subject, keywords, producer)
Configures PDF security restrictions and permissions
Sets encryption levels for document protection
Does not render any visible content in the PDF
Must be placed within the <head> element
Uses name and content attributes for standard metadata
Supports special name values for PDF-specific features

<head>
    <title>My Document</title>
    <meta name="author" content="John Smith" />
    <meta name="description" content="A comprehensive guide to PDF generation" />
    <meta name="keywords" content="PDF, documentation, guide" />
</head>

Supported Attributes

Standard HTML Attributes

Attribute	Type	Description
`id`	string	Unique identifier for the element.
`name`	string	The name of the metadata property.
`content`	string	The value of the metadata property.
`http-equiv`	string	HTTP header equivalent (limited support).
`charset`	string	Character encoding declaration (e.g., “utf-8”).
`hidden`	string	Controls visibility. Set to “hidden” to hide, or omit to show.

Metadata Name Values

The name attribute accepts the following values for PDF document properties:

Name Value	Content	PDF Property	Description
`author`	string	Document Author	Sets the author of the PDF document
`description`	string	Document Subject	Sets the subject/description of the PDF
`keywords`	string	Document Keywords	Sets searchable keywords (comma-separated)
`generator`	string	Document Producer	Sets the producer/generator application name

PDF Security Name Values

Special name values for PDF security and encryption:

Name Value	Content	Description
`print-restrictions`	permissions	Sets document permission restrictions
`print-encryption`	encryption level	Sets encryption security level

Print Restrictions Values

For name="print-restrictions", the content attribute accepts:

Content Value	Description
`none`	No restrictions - all permissions allowed (default)
`all`	All restrictions - block all permissions except accessibility
`printing` or `allow-printing`	Allow printing (high quality)
`accessibility` or `allow-accessibility`	Allow accessibility features
`annotations` or `allow-annotations`	Allow adding annotations/comments
`copying` or `allow-copying`	Allow text/graphics copying
`modifications` or `allow-modifications`	Allow document modifications
`forms` or `allow-forms`	Allow form field filling

Multiple permissions can be space or comma-separated:

<meta name="print-restrictions" content="printing, accessibility, copying" />

Print Encryption Values

For name="print-encryption", the content attribute accepts:

Content Value	Security Type	Description
`40bit`	Standard 40-bit	PDF v1.2 standard 40-bit encryption (legacy)
`128bit`	Standard 128-bit	PDF v2.3 standard 128-bit encryption (recommended)

Notes

Document Properties

The <meta> element sets standard PDF document properties that appear in the Document Properties dialog of PDF readers:

Author (name="author"): The person or organization that created the document
Subject (name="description"): A description of the document’s content or purpose
Keywords (name="keywords"): Searchable keywords for document indexing
Producer (name="generator"): The application that generated the PDF

These properties are embedded in the PDF metadata dictionary and can be used for searching, cataloging, and document management.

PDF Security and Restrictions

The print-restrictions meta tag controls what users can do with the PDF:

Permission Model:

By default, all permissions are allowed (content="none")
Setting content="all" blocks everything except accessibility
Specify individual permissions to allow only those actions
Permissions are enforced by PDF readers that respect security settings

Common Permission Combinations:

View Only (no printing, copying, or modifications):

<meta name="print-restrictions" content="accessibility" />

View and Print (but no copying or editing):

<meta name="print-restrictions" content="printing, accessibility" />

View, Print, and Copy (but no editing):

<meta name="print-restrictions" content="printing, accessibility, copying" />

Full Access (no restrictions):

<meta name="print-restrictions" content="none" />

Encryption Levels

PDF encryption protects document content and enforces restrictions:

40-bit Encryption (PDF 1.2):

Legacy compatibility mode
Lower security strength
Compatible with older PDF readers
Use only when compatibility is critical

128-bit Encryption (PDF 2.3):

Modern standard encryption
Strong security protection
Recommended for all new documents
Supported by all modern PDF readers

Processing During Data Binding

Meta elements are processed by the parent <head> element during data binding:

The <head> element iterates through all child <meta> elements
Standard metadata (author, description, keywords, generator) updates document info
Security meta tags (print-restrictions, print-encryption) configure document permissions
Unknown meta tag names are logged and ignored

Character Encoding

The charset attribute declares the character encoding:

<meta charset="utf-8" />

While this is primarily informational in Scryber (encoding is handled automatically), it’s good practice to include it for standards compliance.

Class Hierarchy

In the Scryber codebase:

HTMLMeta extends Component
Simple data container with string properties
Does not participate in layout or rendering
Processed by parent HTMLHead component

Examples

Basic Document Metadata

<head>
    <title>Annual Report 2025</title>
    <meta charset="utf-8" />
    <meta name="author" content="Finance Department" />
    <meta name="description" content="Annual financial report for fiscal year 2025" />
    <meta name="keywords" content="finance, annual report, 2025, revenue, expenses" />
</head>

Document with Generator Information

<head>
    <title>Sales Report</title>
    <meta name="author" content="Sales Team" />
    <meta name="description" content="Quarterly sales performance report" />
    <meta name="generator" content="SalesReportGenerator v3.0 using Scryber" />
    <meta name="keywords" content="sales, Q3, report, performance" />
</head>

Protected Document with Printing Allowed

<head>
    <title>Confidential Report</title>
    <meta name="author" content="Executive Team" />
    <meta name="description" content="Confidential strategic planning document" />

    <!-- Allow printing and accessibility only -->
    <meta name="print-restrictions" content="printing, accessibility" />
    <meta name="print-encryption" content="128bit" />
</head>

View-Only Document (Maximum Restrictions)

<head>
    <title>Restricted Document</title>
    <meta name="author" content="Legal Department" />
    <meta name="description" content="Legally protected document - view only" />

    <!-- Block all actions except accessibility -->
    <meta name="print-restrictions" content="accessibility" />
    <meta name="print-encryption" content="128bit" />
</head>

Document with Full Permissions

<head>
    <title>Public Document</title>
    <meta name="author" content="Public Relations" />
    <meta name="description" content="Public information document" />

    <!-- No restrictions - all permissions allowed -->
    <meta name="print-restrictions" content="none" />
</head>

Document with Multiple Permissions

<head>
    <title>User Manual</title>
    <meta name="author" content="Documentation Team" />
    <meta name="description" content="Product user manual and guide" />
    <meta name="keywords" content="manual, guide, instructions, help" />

    <!-- Allow printing, copying, and accessibility -->
    <meta name="print-restrictions" content="printing, copying, accessibility" />
    <meta name="print-encryption" content="128bit" />
</head>

Form Document with Fill Permissions

<head>
    <title>Application Form</title>
    <meta name="author" content="HR Department" />
    <meta name="description" content="Employee application form" />

    <!-- Allow form filling, printing, and accessibility -->
    <meta name="print-restrictions" content="forms, printing, accessibility" />
    <meta name="print-encryption" content="128bit" />
</head>

Document Allowing Annotations

<head>
    <title>Review Document</title>
    <meta name="author" content="Review Committee" />
    <meta name="description" content="Document for review with comments" />

    <!-- Allow annotations, printing, and accessibility -->
    <meta name="print-restrictions" content="annotations, printing, accessibility" />
    <meta name="print-encryption" content="128bit" />
</head>

Legacy Compatibility Document

<head>
    <title>Legacy Document</title>
    <meta name="author" content="Archive Department" />
    <meta name="description" content="Document for legacy PDF readers" />

    <!-- Use 40-bit encryption for older readers -->
    <meta name="print-restrictions" content="printing, accessibility" />
    <meta name="print-encryption" content="40bit" />
</head>

Complete Security Configuration

<head>
    <title>Secure Document</title>
    <meta charset="utf-8" />
    <meta name="author" content="Security Department" />
    <meta name="description" content="Secure document with controlled access" />
    <meta name="keywords" content="secure, confidential, restricted" />
    <meta name="generator" content="SecureDoc Generator v1.0" />

    <!-- Allow printing and accessibility, block modifications -->
    <meta name="print-restrictions" content="printing, accessibility" />
    <meta name="print-encryption" content="128bit" />
</head>

Academic Paper Metadata

<head>
    <title>Research Paper: PDF Generation Techniques</title>
    <meta charset="utf-8" />
    <meta name="author" content="Dr. Jane Smith, Dr. John Doe" />
    <meta name="description" content="A comprehensive study of modern PDF generation techniques and performance optimization strategies" />
    <meta name="keywords" content="PDF, generation, research, performance, optimization, document processing" />
    <meta name="generator" content="Academic Paper Generator" />

    <!-- Allow copying for citations, but not modifications -->
    <meta name="print-restrictions" content="printing, copying, accessibility" />
    <meta name="print-encryption" content="128bit" />
</head>

Corporate Template Metadata

<head>
    <title></title>
    <meta charset="utf-8" />
    <meta name="author" content="" />
    <meta name="description" content="" />
    <meta name="keywords" content="" />
    <meta name="generator" content="Corporate Template System v2.0" />

    <!-- Dynamic security based on model -->
    <meta name="print-restrictions" content="" />
    <meta name="print-encryption" content="" />
</head>

Invoice with Restricted Copying

<head>
    <title>Invoice #</title>
    <meta name="author" content="" />
    <meta name="description" content="Invoice for  - " />
    <meta name="keywords" content="invoice, billing, " />

    <!-- Allow printing but prevent copying -->
    <meta name="print-restrictions" content="printing, accessibility" />
    <meta name="print-encryption" content="128bit" />
</head>

Contract Document

<head>
    <title>Service Agreement Contract</title>
    <meta name="author" content="Legal Department - Acme Corporation" />
    <meta name="description" content="Service agreement between Acme Corporation and Client" />
    <meta name="keywords" content="contract, agreement, legal, terms, service" />

    <!-- Allow printing and form filling (for signatures) -->
    <meta name="print-restrictions" content="printing, forms, accessibility" />
    <meta name="print-encryption" content="128bit" />
</head>

<head>
    <title>Monthly Newsletter - October 2025</title>
    <meta charset="utf-8" />
    <meta name="author" content="Marketing Department" />
    <meta name="description" content="Company newsletter featuring updates, news, and announcements for October 2025" />
    <meta name="keywords" content="newsletter, october, 2025, news, updates, company" />
    <meta name="generator" content="Newsletter Generator v4.2" />

    <!-- Public document - no restrictions -->
    <meta name="print-restrictions" content="none" />
</head>

Technical Documentation

<head>
    <title>API Reference Documentation</title>
    <meta charset="utf-8" />
    <meta name="author" content="Engineering Team" />
    <meta name="description" content="Complete API reference documentation for Scryber PDF Library v2.0" />
    <meta name="keywords" content="API, documentation, reference, Scryber, PDF, programming" />
    <meta name="generator" content="DocGen v1.5" />

    <!-- Allow copying for code examples -->
    <meta name="print-restrictions" content="printing, copying, accessibility" />
    <meta name="print-encryption" content="128bit" />
</head>

Multi-Author Document

<head>
    <title>Collaborative Research Report</title>
    <meta charset="utf-8" />
    <meta name="author" content="Dr. Alice Johnson, Prof. Bob Chen, Dr. Carol Williams, Dr. David Brown" />
    <meta name="description" content="Collaborative research findings on machine learning applications in document processing" />
    <meta name="keywords" content="research, collaboration, machine learning, document processing, AI" />

    <!-- Allow annotations for peer review -->
    <meta name="print-restrictions" content="printing, copying, annotations, accessibility" />
    <meta name="print-encryption" content="128bit" />
</head>

Compliance Document

<head>
    <title>GDPR Compliance Report 2025</title>
    <meta charset="utf-8" />
    <meta name="author" content="Compliance Officer - Data Protection Team" />
    <meta name="description" content="Annual GDPR compliance report and audit results for fiscal year 2025" />
    <meta name="keywords" content="GDPR, compliance, data protection, privacy, audit, 2025" />
    <meta name="generator" content="Compliance Reporting System v3.1" />

    <!-- Strict restrictions for compliance documents -->
    <meta name="print-restrictions" content="accessibility" />
    <meta name="print-encryption" content="128bit" />
</head>

Educational Material

<head>
    <title>Introduction to Programming - Chapter 5</title>
    <meta charset="utf-8" />
    <meta name="author" content="Prof. Sarah Martinez, Computer Science Department" />
    <meta name="description" content="Educational material covering loops, functions, and data structures in Python programming" />
    <meta name="keywords" content="education, programming, python, tutorial, computer science" />

    <!-- Allow copying for students but prevent modifications -->
    <meta name="print-restrictions" content="printing, copying, accessibility" />
    <meta name="print-encryption" content="128bit" />
</head>

Product Specification Sheet

<head>
    <title>Product Specification: Model XYZ-2000</title>
    <meta charset="utf-8" />
    <meta name="author" content="Product Management Team" />
    <meta name="description" content="Detailed technical specifications for XYZ-2000 model including dimensions, features, and compatibility" />
    <meta name="keywords" content="product, specification, XYZ-2000, technical, features" />

    <!-- Public spec sheet - all permissions -->
    <meta name="print-restrictions" content="none" />
</head>