PDF Text Redactor
Black out sensitive text in PDFs online for free.
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What is PDF Text Redactor?
The PDF Text Redactor finds every occurrence of a search term in a PDF using the pdf.js text layer, lists the matches per page for review, and stamps opaque black boxes over the selected ones with pdf-lib before downloading the redacted file. Everything runs in your browser, so confidential documents are never uploaded.
Key Benefits
- Review every match before anything is covered
- Opaque boxes hide the sensitive text visually
- Files processed locally, never uploaded
- Auto-named redacted download
- Clear error and empty-result messages
Common Use Cases
- •Sharing contracts with personal data blacked out
- •Publishing reports with account numbers hidden
- •Preparing court or HR documents for disclosure
- •Removing emails and phone numbers from scanned workflows
How to Redact Text in a PDF
- Choose the PDF: Select the PDF from your device - it is processed locally, never uploaded.
- Search the term: Type the sensitive word or number and press Find matches to scan the text layer.
- Review the matches: Check the per-page list and deselect anything that should stay visible.
- Redact and download: Press the redact button to stamp opaque boxes and download the redacted PDF.
Key Features
- Search-term matching through the pdf.js text layer
- Per-page match list with individual checkboxes
- Opaque black boxes stamped over the original text
- Auto-named redacted file download
- Nothing uploaded - processing stays in your browser
- Clear messages for unreadable files and empty results
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the redaction permanent?
The black boxes are opaque rectangles stamped over the text, which visually hides it. The underlying characters still exist in the file stream, so for highly sensitive documents also consider re-creating the page or checking metadata.
Why do some matches span multiple boxes?
The text layer reports text in small runs, so a long phrase may cover several adjacent runs. Each reported item is a separate checkbox so you can keep or drop individual pieces.
Is my document uploaded anywhere?
No. Scanning uses pdf.js and the boxes are stamped with pdf-lib, both running in your browser. The file never leaves your machine.
What if the term is split across lines?
The search matches within a single text run, so a word broken across lines or columns may not be found. Try searching a shorter fragment that sits on one line.