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OJS 3.4
OJS 3.5
Metadata Cleaner
Automatically strip metadata from review files for blind peer review
What it does
Metadata Cleaner automatically creates anonymized copies of files uploaded during the review process in OJS. When a file is uploaded at any review stage, the plugin generates a clean copy with all identifying metadata, tracked changes, and comments stripped out.
The original file remains untouched. Editors see both versions — the original and the anonymized copy (marked with _autoanonymized suffix) — and decide which one to send to reviewers.
How it works
- An editor or author uploads a file during a review stage (review file, review attachment, or revision)
- The plugin automatically detects the file format (DOCX, ODT, or PDF) and creates an anonymized copy
- Both the original and anonymized file appear in the file list
- The editor selects which version to send to the reviewer
Key features
- Three formats supported — DOCX, ODT, and PDF files are all handled with format-specific cleaning strategies
- DOCX cleaning — removes author name, title, company, tracked changes (preserves inserted text, removes deleted text), comments, and revision history
- ODT cleaning — removes author, title, tracked changes, comments, and meta.xml metadata entries
- PDF cleaning — strips Author, Title, Subject, Creator, Producer, Keywords, and XMP metadata
- Non-destructive workflow — original files are never modified; anonymized copies appear alongside
- Automatic activation — works at all review stages: Review File, Review Attachment, Review Revision, Internal Review File, Internal Review Revision
- System requirements check — settings panel shows exiftool and ZipArchive availability at a glance
Before you buy
This plugin requires exiftool (Perl Image-ExifTool) to be installed on your server. Exiftool is used as a final metadata-stripping pass for all supported formats (DOCX, ODT, and PDF). Without it, the plugin will not create anonymized copies.
Most VPS and dedicated servers support exiftool installation. However, many shared hosting plans do not allow installing system-level packages. Please verify with your hosting provider that you can install exiftool before purchasing.
# Debian/Ubuntu
apt-get install libimage-exiftool-perl php-zip
# CentOS/RHEL
yum install perl-Image-ExifTool php-zipRequirements
- OJS 3.4 or 3.5
- PHP 8.1+ with ZipArchive extension (required for DOCX/ODT)
- exiftool (Perl Image-ExifTool) installed on the server (required for all formats)
Features
- ✓ Automatic anonymization — triggered on file upload during review stages
- ✓ DOCX support — strips author, title, company, tracked changes, comments, revision history
- ✓ ODT support — strips author, title, tracked changes, comments, meta.xml entries
- ✓ PDF support — strips Author, Title, Subject, Creator, Producer, Keywords, XMP metadata
- ✓ Non-destructive — original files remain untouched, anonymized copies appear alongside with _autoanonymized suffix
- ✓ Tracked changes handling — inserted text is preserved, deleted text is removed entirely
- ✓ Settings panel with system requirements status — shows exiftool and ZipArchive availability
- ✓ Localization: English, Polish
Requirements
- • OJS 3.4+ or 3.5+
- • PHP 8.1+ with ZipArchive extension (for DOCX/ODT)
- • ⚠️ exiftool (Perl Image-ExifTool) must be installed on the server — required for all formats, verify with your hosting provider before purchasing