How to redact a PDF so the text is really gone
Drawing a black box over a name in a PDF does not remove it. The original text often stays underneath and can be copied, searched or revealed by removing the box. Proper redaction deletes the content itself, which matters for court filings, disclosures, HR records and anything shared outside your organisation.
PixnPDF's Redact PDF rebuilds each page from masked pixels and checks that the removed text no longer appears anywhere in the document. It runs in your browser, so confidential files are never uploaded.
Mark what must be removed
Open the PDF in Redact PDF and draw areas over names, signatures, account numbers, addresses or any other sensitive detail. Use search to find every occurrence of a name or number, because the same detail often appears in headers, footers and appendices too.
Zoom in to check that each area fully covers the text, including descenders and nearby characters.
Export and verify
When you export, every page is rebuilt from the masked image. Original text, images, metadata, links, comments, form fields, bookmarks and attachments are not copied into the new file. PixnPDF then verifies the result: if removed text still appears elsewhere in the document, the export stops and asks you to redact every occurrence.
Because pages are rebuilt as images, the redacted file is not searchable afterwards. Run OCR PDF on it if you need searchable text in the non-redacted parts.
Finish the document for sharing
For legal bundles, add Bates numbers so every page has a unique reference, add a CONFIDENTIAL or DRAFT watermark if required, and protect the final file with a password when it travels by email. The Legal Contract workflow on the homepage watermarks, compresses and protects a document in three guided steps.
What to redact
Typical items are names of people who are not parties, home addresses, phone numbers and email addresses, identity and passport numbers, bank account and card numbers, dates of birth, signatures and health information. Check headers, footers, page margins, tables and attachments, where personal details are easy to miss.
Remember that metadata can also reveal information, such as the author name or earlier titles. Because Redact PDF rebuilds pages without copying the original metadata, comments or attachments, those hidden details are removed from the exported file as well. Agree with your team which categories must always be redacted, so every document is handled the same way.
Keep an unredacted original
Redaction creates a new file and leaves your original untouched. Store the original securely, and keep a record of what was redacted and why, in line with your organisation's policies.
How it works
- Open Redact PDF and add your document.
- Search for and mark every sensitive detail.
- Export; PixnPDF rebuilds and verifies the redacted pages.
- Optionally add Bates numbers, a watermark and a password.
Before you export Always open the redacted file and try to select or search the removed text before sharing it. Redaction decisions remain your responsibility.
Common questions
Does Redact PDF really remove the text?
Yes. Pages are rebuilt from masked pixels and the result is checked so removed text does not appear elsewhere in the file.
Is my document uploaded?
No. Redaction runs in your browser and PixnPDF does not receive the file.
Can I still search the redacted PDF?
Not directly, because pages are rebuilt as images. Run OCR PDF afterwards to make the remaining text searchable.
Is redaction free?
Yes. Redact PDF is free, with no signup and no watermark.
How is redaction different from a black highlight?
A black highlight or shape drawn in a normal editor only covers the text visually, so the words underneath can still be copied or searched. Redaction removes the content from the page itself, which is why Redact PDF rebuilds each page and then checks the result before you share it.