Redact PDF
Black out names, numbers and images in a PDF so they are really gone, in your browser. Nothing is uploaded.
Your files stay on your device.
or drop a file here
Up to 50.00 MB and 50 pages. The file never leaves your device.
How to use it
- Choose a PDF (up to 50 MB and 50 pages).
- Move the mouse over a word, a line (hold Shift) or an image: a black patch fits itself to it. Click to place it, drag to draw your own box, or click a patch to remove it.
- Check every page: the patches must cover everything you want gone.
- Export the redacted PDF and download it.
Example
- A name on a letter
- Input:A one-page PDF, the mouse over the name
- Result:A black patch the size of the name; after export, the name no longer exists in the file
What does Redact PDF do?
Redact PDF hides names, numbers, addresses and images in a PDF under black boxes and rebuilds the file from page images, so the hidden content is really gone.
How does Redact PDF work?
Your browser renders each page with the pdf.js library, reads the positions of words and images so a patch can snap to them, draws the boxes onto the page images and assembles a new PDF with pdf-lib. All of this happens in your browser.
Is my data uploaded?
No. The PDF is opened, rendered and rebuilt in your browser; it is never sent to a server.
Which formats and inputs does Redact PDF support?
Inputs: One PDF file, identified by its file contents rather than its extension; Black boxes placed on the page previews: a word, a whole line, an image, or a box drawn by hand. Output: A new PDF with the same page sizes whose pages are images with the boxes burned in; no text layer, links, form fields or metadata.
What are the limits and limitations of Redact PDF?
Limits: maximum file size 50.00 MB; maximum pages 50; export resolution 2 pixels per point, capped at 16 megapixels per page; tested with a 400 × 300 pt page with text and an image. The exported pages are images: text cannot be selected or searched, and links, form fields and metadata are dropped. Word patches are estimated from the PDF's text positions, so check each one; a scan has no text, so draw its boxes by hand.
More questions
Is the hidden text really removed?
Yes. Each page is turned into an image with the black boxes drawn on it, so the text under a box no longer exists in the file. Copy and paste or search cannot bring it back.
Why can I no longer select text in the exported PDF?
Because the pages are images. That is the price of a redaction that cannot be undone; keep your original file if you need the text.