How to redact a PDF
Redaction permanently removes sensitive information such as names, account numbers or addresses. Unlike a black rectangle, it deletes the text and images under the mark, so nothing can be copied or recovered from the downloaded file.
Step by step
Choose Redact
Click Redact in the tool rail or press X.
Mark what to remove
Drag a box over any area, or select text to mark exactly those words. You can also use Redact from the mini toolbar after selecting text.
Review the marks
Marks are shown on the page so you can check them. Remove any mark you added by mistake.
Apply the redactions
Click Apply. Text and images under the marks are removed for good and replaced with black boxes.
Download
Download the redacted PDF. If any marks are still unapplied, you will be asked to apply them first.
Tips
- Search (Ctrl/Cmd+F) helps you find every occurrence of a name or number before marking it.
- Redaction is done in your browser, so the sensitive file is not uploaded for this step.
- Check headers, footers and small print on every page, not just the obvious spots.
Frequently asked questions
Can redacted text be recovered?
No. When you apply redactions, the text and images under the marks are deleted from the page content, not just covered.
Can I undo a redaction?
Unapplied marks can be removed at any time. Applying is meant to be permanent, so keep your original file if you might need the hidden content later. Downloading never changes the original on your device.
Does redaction work on scanned pages?
Yes, area marks remove the image content under them. To redact by selecting text on a scan, run OCR first.
Is my document uploaded to redact it?
No. Redaction is applied in your browser on your device.
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