How to Securely Redact a PDF in 2026
Author
Security Team
Reviewed by
Dr. Privacy (PhD)
Protecting sensitive information is more critical than ever. Whether you're dealing with personal data, legal contracts, or confidential business reports, knowing how to redact a PDF correctly is a vital skill.
What Does "Redact PDF" Actually Mean?
Redaction isn't just drawing a black box over text. True redaction involves the permanent removal of data from the digital file. If you simply cover text with a shape, the underlying text remains searchable and selectable.
For a deeper dive into data privacy, you can read about GDPR compliance standards.
Step-by-Step: How to Redact a PDF
Follow these simple steps using our free browser-based tool:
- Upload Your Document: Navigate to our secure editor.
- Select Redaction Tool: Choose between "Canvas Redaction" (Recommended) or "Pixelation".
- Mark Sensitive Areas: Click and drag to draw rectangles over text or images you want to hide.
- Process & Download: Click "Generate Secure PDF". The tool will physically remove the data from the file structure.
Why Local Processing Matters
Many online tools require you to upload your document to their servers. This creates a security risk. Our tool uses client-side processing, meaning your file never leaves your computer.
Pro Tip
Always verify your redacted PDF by trying to search for the hidden text. If you can't find it, it's securely redacted.