Find and Redact
Redact PDF text across all pages by searching names, account numbers, and patterns. Batch-remove sensitive information before sharing documents.
What this tool is best for
Use Find and Redact when the PDF contains visible sensitive text that must be permanently removed before the file can be sent, filed, or published.
Why people use it
- Targets one of the clearest compliance-driven PDF intents: removing visible confidential text.
- Works well for names, account numbers, IDs, addresses, and repeated sensitive patterns across long documents.
- Gives users a stronger workflow than manual black-box overlays because the underlying text is actually removed.
What to watch for
- This page works best on text-based PDFs. If the file is scanned, <a href="/en/tools/ocr-pdf">OCR PDF</a> may be needed first for search-driven redaction.
- If the concern is hidden metadata or attachments rather than visible text, <a href="/en/tools/sanitize-pdf">Sanitize PDF</a> is the better route.
Supported inputs
text-based PDF, searchable documents, sensitive repeated patterns
Common outputs
redacted PDF, permanently removed sensitive text, safer share-ready copy
About This Tool
Find and Redact is for visible secrets, not hidden properties. Users typically land here when a document contains names, account numbers, addresses, IDs, case references, or other text that must be permanently removed before the PDF goes to another team, an outside party, or a public archive.
The page should compete on two promises: search accuracy and permanent removal. This matters because the common alternative is drawing black boxes on top of text without actually removing the underlying content, which is risky in legal, finance, healthcare, and compliance workflows.
It should also explain when another tool is better. OCR PDF may be required first for scanned files. Sanitize PDF is for hidden data cleanup. Find and Redact is specifically about locating visible text and removing it at scale across a document.
For SEO, this page works best when it frames redaction as a compliance and privacy workflow, not just a cosmetic masking feature.
How to Use
Upload Your PDF
Drag and drop your PDF file or click to select.
Search for Text
Enter the text, number, or regex pattern you want to find and redact.
Review and Select
Preview all matches and select which ones to redact.
Apply Redaction
Customize redaction appearance and apply to selected matches.
Use Cases
Privacy Compliance
Redact personal information to comply with GDPR, HIPAA, or other regulations.
Legal Documents
Remove confidential data from legal documents before sharing.
Financial Records
Redact account numbers, SSNs, or financial data from statements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is redaction permanent?
Yes, redaction permanently removes the underlying text. The original content cannot be recovered. Always keep a backup of the original file.
Can I redact images or scanned text?
This tool works with text-based PDFs. For scanned documents, you would need to use manual area-based redaction.
Can I customize the redaction appearance?
Yes, you can set the redaction color, add borders, and optionally include replacement text like "[REDACTED]".
How does regex search work?
Enable "Use Regular Expression" to search using regex patterns. For example, \d{4}-\d{4}-\d{4}-\d{4} to find credit card numbers.
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