Is redaction permanent?

Yes. Redacted content is permanently removed from the PDF. Unlike a black highlight, which only covers the text visually, redaction deletes the underlying data so it cannot be copied, searched, or recovered.

What is the difference between redaction and a black highlight?

A black highlight overlays color on top of text, but the text remains in the file and can be copied or extracted. Redaction removes the actual content from the document, making it unrecoverable.

Do my files get uploaded to a server?

No. Redaction is done entirely in your browser. Your PDF never leaves your device, so sensitive content stays private throughout the process.

Can I redact images as well as text?

Yes. Draw a redaction box over any area of the page, whether it contains text, images, or both. Everything within the box is permanently removed.

Can I undo a redaction after downloading?

No. Once applied, redactions are permanent and the original content is deleted from the file. Always keep a copy of the original PDF before redacting.

Redact PDF Online: Free, No Upload Required

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How it works

Upload your PDF

Drop your file onto the upload area.

Mark areas to redact

Draw redaction boxes over the text or images you want to permanently remove. Preview the redacted result before applying.

Download redacted PDF

Click Apply Redactions and download your PDF with the selected content permanently removed.

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