Redact a PDF

Black out names, account numbers and other private details so they're gone from the file for good, not just covered up. It all happens in your browser, so your PDF is never uploaded.

How to redact a PDF

  1. Drop your PDF into the box above. It opens right here in your browser.
  2. Drag black boxes over everything that must go: names, account numbers, addresses, signatures or whole paragraphs.
  3. Click Save PDF and download the redacted file. What was under the boxes is gone from it for good.

Common questions

Is redacted text really gone?

Yes. Each page with a black box is turned into a picture with the boxes painted in, and the original page, its text included, is removed from the file. Nobody can copy, search or uncover what was underneath. Filekin checks the saved file to make sure those pages hold no text.

How is this different from White-out or a black box in Edit PDF?

Those only cover what's underneath: the words are still inside the file, and anyone can copy them out. Redact PDF removes them.

What happens to the rest of the page?

It looks the same, but it's now a picture, so its text can't be selected or searched. Pages without black boxes aren't touched and keep their text.

What else is removed?

On pages you redact, comments and fillable form fields are removed too, since they could repeat what you blacked out. The file's hidden accessibility tags, which can also hold a copy of the text, are removed from the whole document.

Is my PDF uploaded anywhere?

No. Redacting happens entirely in your browser, so your private document never leaves your device.

Can I undo a redaction after saving?

No, and that's the point. Keep your original file if you might need the full version again.