How to redact sensitive information from a PDF
Redaction is not the same as drawing a black box. If you only cover text with a shape, anyone can move it or copy the text underneath. Real redaction removes the underlying content so it is gone for good.
This guide shows how to redact a PDF properly before sharing it, which matters for statements, contracts and any document with personal data.
Redact the sensitive parts
- 1Open the Redact PDF tool and add your document.
- 2Draw over each piece of sensitive text: account numbers, ID numbers, signatures, addresses.
- 3Apply the redaction and save. The covered content is burned out of the file, not just hidden.
Strip the hidden metadata too
A PDF can carry hidden data beyond the visible pages: author name, software, and edit history. Before sharing a sensitive file, remove that metadata as well so nothing leaks through the file properties.
Remove metadataFrequently asked questions
- Is drawing a black box the same as redacting?
- No. A box drawn over text still has the text underneath, which can be copied or moved. Proper redaction removes the content so it cannot be recovered.
- Can redacted text be recovered?
- Not when it is truly redacted. DailyDone removes the underlying content rather than covering it, so there is nothing left to extract.
- Is my document uploaded when I redact it?
- Redaction runs in your browser, so the file stays on your device while you black out the sensitive parts.