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Redact PDF Online

Search for literal selectable text in a supported PDF and create an image-only redacted copy. Review every page before sharing because scanned text, graphics, text split across PDF runs, and similar-looking content may not be matched automatically.

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Up to 50 MiB per PDF
View limits & supported files
Supported input
Select a PDF
Limits
Up to 50 MiB per PDF
Additional limits
Up to 100 pages
Processing
No file upload
File handling
Files remain in your browser
Browser processing No account required Direct download
Practical guidance

Redact exact selectable text from a PDF copy

Use Redact PDF when sensitive information exists as selectable text that the tool can match. Enter the literal text, review the reported match count, and inspect the finished output before relying on it.

Find repeated sensitive text

Search for a literal name, account number, address, or other repeated value contained within selectable PDF text runs.

Use the tool's actual permanent-redaction method

Every page is rendered and JPEG-encoded into a new image-only PDF, so selectable text and interactive document features are removed throughout the output.

Verify every redaction before sharing

Open the result, search for the original value, inspect visible areas, and confirm that sensitive information is not left elsewhere in the document.

About this tool

Remove matched selectable text using a verified workflow

Redact PDF matches literal substrings within selectable PDF text runs. It does not detect arbitrary scanned text or graphics because OCR and region-based redaction are not included.

Useful for

  • Remove repeated selectable names, account numbers, or exact text values.
  • Create a redacted sharing copy from a supported digital PDF.
  • Verify the result by searching for the original text after processing.

Good to know

  • Exact selectable-text matching will not automatically find text inside scanned images unless OCR is integrated.
  • Redaction must remove or irreversibly replace the sensitive content, not merely draw a black box above it.
  • Always inspect important pages manually before sharing the result.

How to Redact PDF Text

Choose the PDF, enter the literal selectable text to remove, create the redacted copy, then inspect and search the downloaded result before sharing.

  1. Choose a supported PDF.
  2. Enter the exact selectable text you need to redact.
  3. Create the redacted output and review the reported match count.
  4. Search the result for the original value and inspect the affected pages before sharing.
How to Redact PDF Text

Related PDF tools

OCR PDF

Recognize supported scanned text before using a selectable-text workflow.

Compare PDF

Compare the original and redacted copies visually during review.

PDF Reader

Inspect the document before and after redaction.

Flatten PDF

Fix supported interactive form values into page content; this is not a substitute for redaction.

Need another document task? Browse all working tools.

Browser processing questions

Can Redact PDF remove text from a scanned PDF?

No. The current tool matches selectable text only; scanned image text is not automatically detected.

Is drawing a black box over text enough?

No. A secure redaction workflow must ensure the underlying sensitive content is no longer recoverable through normal PDF content access.

Can I redact the same value everywhere it appears?

Yes. Every matching literal substring found inside individual selectable text runs is covered. Matching cannot span separate PDF text runs.

Will links, forms, or signatures remain on a rebuilt redacted page?

No. Every page is rebuilt as a JPEG image, so selectable text, links, forms, annotations, accessibility data, and signatures are lost throughout the output.

How should I verify the result?

Search for the original value, inspect the affected pages visually, and review other locations where the same sensitive information may appear.

Are my files uploaded?

No. Selected PDF contents are processed locally in this browser.

Practical PDF guides for complete tasks

Redact PDF guide How to redact and review a PDF before sharing Current redaction searches exact selectable text runs and cannot promise to find every visual occurrence. Read guide → Redact PDF guide How to verify PDF redaction before sharing Treat redaction verification as a separate step: inspect pages, search original terms, test selection, and compare with the sensitive source list. Read guide → Redact PDF guide Why Scanned PDFs Need OCR Before Text-Based Redaction Use OCR PDF only to determine whether a reviewed selectable text layer can be created. Read guide →
View all PDFKaka Guides →