Redact a PDF
Remove sensitive information before you share a document. Unlike drawing a black box, redaction here removes what's underneath: you can't copy it out or uncover it.
or drop files here
PDF files
Where your file is processed
On your deviceProcessed on your device — files are not uploaded.
How to use Redact PDF
Choose a PDF.
Search for words or numbers to mark every occurrence, and draw boxes over anything else.
Review the marks, then export.
About this tool
Real redaction
Each page with a redaction is rebuilt as an image with the boxes burned in, so the hidden text, its fonts and anything beneath the boxes are removed from the file. Pages without redactions are unchanged.
What to check
Redacted pages lose selectable text, links and form fields. Bookmarks and document properties aren't redacted; use Sanitize PDF to remove metadata too.
Frequently asked questions
Can someone recover the redacted text?
Not from the redacted pages: the text is gone from those pages, not covered up.
Will search find every occurrence?
Search finds text the PDF stores as text. Scanned pages contain pictures of text; mark them by drawing boxes, or run OCR first.
Is my file uploaded?
No. It's processed in your browser and never leaves your device.
Related guides
- How to redact a PDF properly, and why a black box isn't enoughDrawing a black box over text in a PDF doesn't remove it. Learn how real redaction works, what to check before sharing, and how to redact without uploading.
- What hidden data is in your PDF, and how to remove itPDFs can carry your name, the software you used, dates, attachments and scripts you never see on the page. Here's what's hidden and how to strip it before sharing.