Redact PDF
Redact PDF documents and the hidden text is gone for good, not just covered by a black box. Names and numbers cannot be copied back out.
This opens the PDFDEN editor with redact pdf ready. You can do the rest of your changes there too, then save once.
How to redact PDF
Drop your PDF into the box.
Drag boxes over what you want to hide, or search for a word to box every match.
Check each page, then apply the redactions.
Download the redacted PDF.
Redact text in a PDF so it stays hidden
A black rectangle drawn on top of text often leaves the text underneath, ready to copy. PDFDEN re-renders every redacted page as an image with the boxes burned in, so the hidden words are removed from the file.
Search finds every match of a word, like a name or an account number, and boxes it for you.
What changes on redacted pages
Pages with redactions become images, so their remaining text is no longer selectable. Pages without redactions stay untouched. To make redacted pages searchable again, run OCR PDF. The file properties can also hold names, so clear them with the PDF metadata editor. The redaction guide covers the full routine.
Guides
Frequently asked questions
How do I redact a PDF?
Drop the PDF here, drag boxes over the sensitive parts or search for a word, and apply. You download a copy with those areas blacked out for good.
Can redacted text be recovered?
No. Redacted pages are rebuilt as images with the boxes burned in, so the original text is no longer in the file.
Is it free to redact a PDF?
Yes. No signup, no watermark, and the document is processed in your browser.
Can I redact every instance of a word?
Yes. Search for the word and every match gets a box.
Why can I not select text on some pages after redacting?
Redacted pages are turned into images. Other pages keep their text. Use OCR PDF to add a searchable layer back.
Should I redact or crop?
Redact. Cropping only changes what is shown and leaves content in the file.