Tab Structure
PDF Auditor uses tabs to separate different kinds of PDF inspection. Each tab focuses on one review area, such as Metadata, Security, Links, Attachments, Images, JavaScript, or Forensics.
Switching tabs
You can switch tabs in several ways:
| Method | What it does |
|---|---|
| Main toolbar | Click an icon in the app toolbar to open the matching inspector. Tabs with findings can show a small badge. |
| Insights tab | Use Insights to return to the overview and open inspectors from the summary cards. |
| Tab menu | Use Tab in the macOS menu bar to switch tabs or move through tab history. |
| Keyboard shortcuts | Use shortcuts such as ⌘ [ and ⌘ ] for tab history. See Keyboard Shortcuts. |
Sidebar and preview layout
The main window has a PDF preview on the left and the active inspection tab on the right. The inspection tab changes when you select a different tab icon, but the PDF preview stays available for page context and highlighting.
Use Show Thumbnails to show or hide the page-thumbnail sidebar beside the PDF preview. This controls the PDF thumbnail navigator, not the inspection tab panel.
Tab header
Most inspection tabs have a header with the tab icon, tab name, item count when available, and shared tab actions.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Tab settings | Opens settings for the current tab. This button appears only on tabs that have tab-specific options. |
| Detach | Opens the current tab in a separate window so you can keep it visible while switching the main window to another tab. |
| Reattach tab | Returns a detached tab to the main window from the detached tab header or the placeholder shown in the main window. |
| Close | Closes the current non-Insights tab from the active sidebar or detached tab window. |
Insights is the default overview and does not use the same detach and close workflow as inspector tabs.
Tab settings
Some tabs include settings that change what the table shows or how findings are grouped. Examples include hiding 1×1 pixel images in Images, hiding embedded-file streams in Attachments, and filtering certain annotation types.
Tab settings are saved, so the same option is used the next time you open PDF Auditor.
Detaching tabs
Use Detach when you want one inspector to stay open while you continue reviewing another area. For example, you can detach JavaScript or Forensics, then switch the main window to Links, Forms, or Annotations for cross-checking.
To reattach a detached tab, click Reattach tab in the placeholder shown in the main window. You can also click the same reattach icon in the detached tab header, or use while the detached tab is active.
Closing tabs
Use Close to close the current non-Insights tab. You can reopen closed inspectors from the title-bar tab icons, Insights, or the Tab menu.
Closing a tab does not close the PDF. To close the document itself, use or the PDF toolbar close button.