How to Redact Text in a PDF
To redact text in a PDF, mark the words to remove and let a redaction tool delete them from the file. The reliable way to catch every instance is to combine three techniques: AI detection by data type (all names, all phone numbers), search-and-redact for exact terms (a specific surname, a case number), and manual boxes for anything unusual. The free PDF Redaction tool does all three in the browser and removes the text rather than covering it.
This guide shows the workflow, the Acrobat equivalent, and the mistakes that leave a name behind on page 14.
Three ways to find the text that must go
| Technique | Best for | Catches |
|---|---|---|
| AI detection by category | Personal data in general | Every name, address, date, phone, email, ID and account number, even ones you did not know were there |
| Search-and-redact | Specific terms | Every exact match of a word, name or number across all pages |
| Manual selection | Odd cases | Handwriting, stamps, logos, a sentence that is sensitive in context |
Using only manual selection on a long document is where most redaction failures start: a name is removed on page 2 and missed in a footnote on page 14.
Method 1: redact text with PDF Redaction (recommended)
Steps
Upload the PDF
Drag the document into the free PDF Redaction tool. Scanned pages are read with OCR automatically, so text in images is searchable too.
Pick the data types to redact
In the filter panel, choose which categories the AI should remove: names, addresses, dates, phone numbers, email addresses, ID numbers, account numbers, organisations and more. Every occurrence of each type is highlighted across all pages.
Search and redact specific words
Type a word, name or number into the search box. Autocomplete suggests terms from the document, and the word-frequency view shows how often each appears. Redact all matches with one click.
Add manual boxes
For text the AI or search did not cover, click and drag with the rectangle tool, or use the text-selection tool to mark a phrase. Use undo if you mark too much.
Preview, download, verify
Switch to the Redacted preview, then download. The marked text is deleted from the file, not covered. Confirm with the free redaction checker before sending.
Free for up to 25 pages per document. Files stay in your browser.
Method 2: Adobe Acrobat Pro
- Open Tools → Redact.
- Choose Find Text & Redact, enter a word or phrase, or pick a pattern (phone numbers, SSNs, credit cards, dates). Review the matches and mark them.
- For anything else, use Mark for Redaction and select text with the cursor.
- Click Apply, confirm removal of hidden information, then run Sanitize Document.
- Save as a new file.
Acrobat's patterns are limited to a few US formats and it does not detect names or addresses, so read the document once more before applying.
Method 3: macOS Preview
Preview (macOS Big Sur or later) has Tools → Redact: drag over text to remove it permanently. There is no search-and-redact, no detection and no OCR, so it suits a one-page document with a handful of items.
Redacting text vs. blacking out text
Redacting removes the text runs from the page; blacking out with a highlighter, rectangle or shape only draws over them. If you can still select the text under the box, it is not redacted. Read How to black out text in a PDF for the difference and the fix.
Check that your redaction actually worked
Before you send a redacted PDF anywhere, open it in our free checker to confirm no hidden text, layers or metadata can be recovered.
Common mistakes
- Redacting the first occurrence and stopping. Use search to find all matches.
- Forgetting variants: "J. Smith", "Smith, John", "JSMITH". Combine AI name detection with search.
- Ignoring scanned pages, which need OCR before search works.
- Leaving the value in a form field or bookmark.
- Skipping the final check.
Quick summary
- Upload the PDF to PDF Redaction.
- Select the data categories to remove.
- Search for specific words and redact all matches.
- Add manual boxes for the rest, preview, download.
- Verify before sharing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I redact every instance of a name in a PDF?
Use search-and-redact: enter the name once and the tool marks all matches on every page. Combine it with the AI "names" category to also catch variants such as initials or surnames alone.
Can I redact a single word without redacting the whole line?
Yes. Redaction boxes are placed on the exact bounding box of the matched word, so the rest of the line stays readable.
Does redacting text remove it or just hide it?
With a real redaction tool the text runs are deleted from the page content and the file is flattened. With annotation tools the text is only hidden and stays selectable.
How do I redact text in Adobe Acrobat?
In Acrobat Pro, open Tools → Redact, use Find Text & Redact for a word or pattern, or Mark for Redaction to select by hand, then click Apply and run Sanitize Document. Acrobat Reader cannot redact.
Can I redact text in a scanned PDF?
Yes, if the tool runs OCR first. PDF Redaction does this automatically; in Acrobat run Scan & OCR before searching.
What about text in headers, footers and footnotes?
Search-and-redact and AI detection cover the whole page, including headers, footers, footnotes, tables and form fields. Bookmarks and metadata are cleared on export.
Related guides
How to Black Out Text in a PDF (and Why a Black Box Isn't Enough)
Black out text in a PDF so it is actually gone: the difference between a drawn black box and a real redaction, how to do it for free in your browser, in Acrobat and in Preview, and how to check.
How to Redact a Scanned PDF (OCR + Image Redaction)
A scanned PDF is an image, so a redaction tool must run OCR before it can find text. Learn how to redact scanned documents, photos and faxes so both the pixels and the recognised text are removed.
How to Check If a PDF Is Properly Redacted (Unredact Test)
Three quick tests to check whether a redacted PDF still hides recoverable text, layers or metadata, plus how to fix a failed redaction before you share the file.