CheckBefore
Check a file

FREE FILE SHARING CHECK

Check File Metadata Before Uploading to ChatGPT

A file can carry risks in both the visible content and the file structure. CheckBefore checks supported text, CSV, Excel, Word, and text-layer PDF content for likely personal information and secrets, then surfaces supported metadata and hidden-file signals before you upload the file to ChatGPT.

Processed locally in your browserYour original stays unchanged. The file and filename are not uploaded for a standard scan.

Private scan workspace

Check a file before it leaves your hands.

Start with 2 free checks — no account needed.Original stays unchanged.

Processed locally
⌁ Your original stays on this device◌ No account needed for a free check

Choose a file or drop it here

SUPPORTED COVERAGE

What can be detected

  • Supported personal-information and exposed-secret patterns in TXT, CSV, Excel cell text and formulas, Word body structures, and text-layer PDFs
  • Word authors, document properties, comments, tracked changes, and hidden text
  • Excel metadata, comments, hidden or very hidden sheets, hidden rows and columns, and supported external references
  • PDF document properties, XMP, text comments, attachments, forms, actions, layers, and redaction annotations
  • Supported JPEG, PNG, and WebP EXIF, GPS, XMP, IPTC, device, author, date, and text metadata

CLEAR NEXT STEPS

What can be cleaned—and what needs you

Can be removed

Metadata and properties

Supported author, editor, title, subject, keyword, creator, producer, and custom-property fields can be shown where the file format exposes them.

Review required

Hidden or attached content

Supported hidden sheets, revisions, embedded objects, attachments, and other non-obvious structures are surfaced for your decision.

Manual check

Active or linked content

Detectable macros, actions, connections, and external targets are flagged because automatic changes could alter file behavior.

EXAMPLE — NOT A LIVE SCAN

Example findings

Real results use the same label-and-value structure and depend on the file you select. These examples do not claim a risk score or finding count.

⌁
proposal.docxReady to upload
Local checkExample
  • Personal infoPattern flagged
  • AuthorExample author
  • Hidden sheetForecast

Supported text patterns are checked locally; content is not redacted.

Example only — the check happens in your browser before the file is uploaded elsewhere.
Word property
Author field present
Excel structure
Very hidden worksheet
Image detail
GPS metadata present

ONE LOCAL WORKSPACE

How it works

  1. SelectChoose a supported file from this device.
  2. UnderstandReview the evidence and the stated scan limits.
  3. CleanCreate a separate copy with only supported items removed.
  4. RescanCheck the latest copy again and review anything left unchanged.

HONEST BOUNDARIES

What CheckBefore does not do

  • CheckBefore can flag supported personal-information and secret patterns in supported text content, but it does not redact, rewrite, or anonymize that content or inspect image pixels.
  • It is not a comprehensive data-loss-prevention service and does not decide whether the visible content is appropriate to share.
  • Only the supported file formats and checks listed on this page are covered; image OCR is not included.

Frequently asked questions

Does CheckBefore send my file to ChatGPT?

No. You select and check the file in CheckBefore first. Standard scanning runs in your browser; you decide whether to upload the file anywhere afterward.

Does it find names or account numbers in the document body?

For supported TXT, CSV, XLSX, DOCX, and text-layer PDFs, it flags likely personal-information and secret patterns locally. It does not redact or anonymize content, and it does not inspect image pixels.

Which files can I check?

The current scanner supports TXT, CSV, XLSX, DOCX, PDF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, and WebP files up to the displayed file-size limit. Content coverage differs by file type.

Check and Remove Metadata from a Word DocumentCheck a DOCX locally for author, last editor, document properties, comments, tracked changes, hidden text, links, and embedded content before sharing.Check Excel for Hidden Data and MetadataCheck an Excel workbook locally for hidden sheets, hidden rows and columns, comments, author properties, links, connections, and embedded content.Check and Remove Metadata from a PDFCheck a PDF locally for author, title, subject, keywords, creator, producer, dates, XMP, comments, attachments, forms, actions, and hidden layers.Check and Remove Metadata from ImagesCheck JPEG, PNG, and WebP images locally for supported EXIF, GPS, XMP, IPTC, device, date, author, copyright, and text metadata.

See all supported file checks on the CheckBefore homepage

Check Files Before Uploading to ChatGPT | CheckBefore