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Anonymize a PDF and keep it readablePage 1 of 3
Guide · anonymize a PDF

Anonymize a PDF and keep it readable

Black boxes make a PDF safe but hard to use. Re-Doc anonymizes text-based PDFs by replacing each name, email, phone number, ID and address with a realistic synthetic value, so the document still reads naturally and keeps its layout. The same person gets the same replacement on every page.

Upload a file, first 10 pages freeSee pricing
Example

What Re-Doc changes

Orange boxes are what Re-Doc finds on its own. Text-based files keep their layout, and each real value is swapped for a realistic synthetic one.

1. Your documentcomplaint.pdf
Customer Complaint Letter
Ref CC-3391 · Page 1
FromEmily Carter
Emailemily.carter@gmail.com
Account no.7710 2291 0043
Address14 Rose Ave, Leeds
IssueLate refund
2. Safe to sharecomplaint_safe.pdf
Customer Complaint Letter
Ref CC-3391 · Page 1
FromRachel Moore
Emailrachel.moore@mail.com
Account no.7724 5810 3365
Address82 Mill Rd, Leeds
IssueLate refund
What to replacePage 2 of 3
Checklist

What to replace, and what to keep

Usually replaced

  • Names: replaced with realistic names, used consistently
  • Emails, phones and addresses: replaced with look-alike values in the same format
  • ID and account numbers: same length and pattern, different digits
  • Anything you describe: for example "also replace the company name"

Usually kept

  • Page layout, fonts and tables
  • The meaning of the text
  • The PDF format
Tip

Anonymization keeps the document useful for review, training and analysis. If a document must show that something was withheld, use redaction instead.

How it works

Three steps

  1. STEP 1

    Upload

    PDF, Word, TXT, scan or photo, up to 50 MB. Sign in with Google; the first 10 pages are free.

  2. STEP 2

    Review

    Re-Doc highlights every change. On scans you can add or remove boxes; for any file you can describe what to keep or remove in plain words.

  3. STEP 3

    Download

    Get the safe copy in the same format you uploaded, with the layout unchanged.

QuestionsPage 3 of 3

Frequently asked questions

01What is the difference between anonymizing and redacting a PDF?
Redaction blacks values out. Anonymization replaces them with realistic synthetic values, so people can still read and use the document while the real data is gone.
02Does it work on scanned PDFs?
Scanned PDFs have no text to replace, so Re-Doc reads them with OCR and covers personal data with permanent black boxes instead.
03Will the same person get the same fake name everywhere?
Yes. Each real value gets one replacement used throughout the document.
04Is it free?
The first 10 pages are free after signing in with Google. Plans start at $11 a month for 500 pages.
Anonymize documents before you use them with AIRemove personal data from documents before you paste them into ChatGPT, Claude or other AI tools. Re-Doc swaps it for realistic synthetic values first.Replace the names in a PDF or Word documentReplace every name in a PDF or Word document with a realistic fictional name, consistently across pages, without breaking the layout. First 10 pages free.Pseudonymize documents and keep the key separatePseudonymize documents: replace identities with consistent synthetic values and keep a separate change list as the key. GDPR context and how to store it.All anonymization guides →