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Black out text in a PDF so it is really gonePage 1 of 3
Guide · black out text in PDF

Black out text in a PDF so it is really gone

Many people black out text by drawing a box or highlighting it in black. In a text-based PDF the words often stay underneath and can be copied, searched or read by a screen reader. Re-Doc finds the sensitive text and removes it at the source: scanned pages are burned in with black boxes, and text-based PDFs have the values replaced.

Upload a file, first 10 pages freeSee pricing
Example

What Re-Doc changes

Orange boxes are what Re-Doc finds on its own. Scans and photos get permanent black boxes burned into the image.

1. Your documentstatement.pdf
Witness Statement
Case 24-CV-0193 · Exhibit 4
WitnessDaniel Ortiz
Date of birth04/11/1979
SSN512-44-7781
Address77 Pine Rd, Denver CO
StatementSee page 2
2. Safe to sharestatement_safe.pdf
Witness Statement
Case 24-CV-0193 · Exhibit 4
WitnessDaniel Ortiz
Date of birth04/11/1979
SSN512-44-7781
Address77 Pine Rd, Denver CO
StatementSee page 2
What to removePage 2 of 3
Checklist

What to remove, and what to keep

Usually removed

  • The text layer: not only what you see, so copy and paste returns nothing
  • Names and IDs: people, SSNs, case and account numbers
  • Dates of birth and addresses: the details that identify a person
  • Hidden copies: the same value repeated in headers, footers and tables

Usually kept

  • Page numbers, exhibit and Bates stamps
  • The rest of the statement
  • Original page size and layout
Tip

Quick test after any redaction: select the black area and paste it into a text editor. If words appear, the text is still in the file.

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

01Why does highlighting in black not work?
A highlight or drawn box is a layer on top. The words are still in the PDF text, so they can be copied, searched or extracted by software.
02Can I choose what gets blacked out?
Yes. On scanned pages you can remove a box or draw an extra one in the editor. For any file, you can also describe what to keep or remove in plain words before you start.
03What about scanned PDFs?
Scanned pages are read with OCR and the black boxes are burned into the image, so nothing is left underneath.
04Is there a free option?
Yes, the first 10 pages are free after signing in with Google.
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