Redact PDF
Black out text and areas in a PDF so they are really removed, by drawing boxes or finding words. Your files are never uploaded to our servers. ToolkitPoint processes them on your own computer, so confidential documents stay with you.
Processed in your browser. Your files are not uploaded.
How to use Redact PDF
- Choose a PDF; its pages appear below.
- Type words to find (names, numbers, emails) and press "Mark matches", or drag on a page to draw boxes.
- Check every page and remove any wrong box with ×.
- Press "Redact and download" and check the new file before sharing it.
Worked example
Find the account number 4417-2290 in a 3-page statement: both matches get black boxes. After download, page 1 (with matches) is an image where the number is gone, and pages 2 and 3 keep their normal selectable text.
When to use this tool
- Sharing bank statements, payslips or contracts with personal details removed.
- Preparing documents for FOIA or legal disclosure.
Important limitations
Redacted pages become images without selectable text; search finds text only in the text layer, so scanned pages need boxes drawn by hand.
Frequently asked questions
Is the text under the boxes really removed?
Yes. Every page with a box is rebuilt as an image with the black boxes burned in, so the hidden text no longer exists in the file and cannot be copied or searched. Drawing a black shape in most editors only covers the text.
What happens to pages without boxes?
They are copied unchanged, with their selectable text and quality.
Why can't I select text on redacted pages?
Because those pages are now images; that is what makes the redaction permanent. Run OCR PDF on the result if you need searchable text again.
Does find work on scanned PDFs?
No. A scan has no text layer, so draw boxes by hand.
Is my document uploaded?
No. Everything happens in your browser, which is what you want for sensitive files.