Is this real redaction or just a black box on top?

Real redaction. Each page is converted to a flattened image before the black boxes are baked in, so there's no hidden text layer left underneath to copy or extract.

Will the PDF still be searchable after redaction?

No. Because pages become images, the output PDF is no longer text-searchable. This is intentional — it's what guarantees the redacted content is actually gone.

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Why redact a PDF?

Some PDF files contain personal, financial, or confidential information that shouldn't be shared. Simply covering text with a shape isn't enough because hidden content may still be recoverable. Proper redaction permanently removes sensitive information before you distribute the document.

PDFly lets you redact PDF content directly in your browser, keeping your files on your device throughout — no account, no watermark, no software installation.

Common uses

Remove personal information
Hide confidential data
Share legal documents
Protect customer records
Secure business files

Best Practices & Limitations

Tips for best results

Redact and then flatten (or download the redacted result directly) — never send a version where the block is just a visual overlay that could be removed.
Double-check metadata and embedded file properties separately, since redacting page content doesn't clear document metadata.
Review every page manually before sharing — automated redaction on this tool is manual, not AI-detected.

Limitations & when not to use this tool

This is manual redaction — you select what to black out; it doesn't automatically detect sensitive data like SSNs or names.
Always verify the exported file doesn't retain a hidden text layer under the redaction box before sharing sensitive documents.
Not a substitute for legal review when redacting documents for compliance or litigation purposes.

About redact PDF

Permanently remove or cover sensitive information in a PDF using redaction. Redaction is different from simply drawing a black shape over text.

Common uses for redact PDF

Useful for sharing legal documents, reports, applications, records, and other files that contain information that should not be disclosed.

Tips for using this PDF tool

Verify the exported PDF by trying to select, search, or copy the redacted area before sharing it.

Related PDF tools

Want a step-by-step walkthrough? Read the Redact PDF guide.

Frequently asked questions

Is redacted text permanently removed?

Yes. Proper redaction permanently removes the selected content from the output PDF rather than simply hiding it.

Can I redact images as well?

Yes. You can permanently remove selected images or graphic areas from supported PDFs.

Can I undo redaction later?

No. Once the new redacted PDF is saved, the removed content cannot be recovered.

Does this work on scanned PDFs?

Yes, but scanned documents may require OCR if you want to identify and redact text instead of image areas.

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Common workflow

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