Permanently Redact Text from a PDF
Remove names, account numbers, addresses, case references, and other sensitive values before sharing a PDF. 1PDF finds every term you list, paints an opaque black box over each match, and rebuilds every page as a flat image so the original text cannot be selected, copied, searched, or uncovered by deleting an annotation. Processing stays entirely inside your browser, and the tool refuses to create an output when a requested value cannot be found.
Choose files ordrag & drop here
.pdf · single file
Processed locally in your browser — your files never leave your device.
How to redact pdf
- Upload one text-based PDF and enter each exact word, phrase, or number to remove on a separate line.
- Choose the output resolution, then run the redaction and review the reported matches.
- Download the flattened PDF and visually inspect every page before sharing sensitive material.
Frequently asked questions
Is the hidden text really removed?
Yes. The finished pages are rasterized after black boxes are applied, so the source text layer and editable redaction objects are not carried into the output PDF.
Why does the tool stop when a term is not found?
A redaction tool should not imply that a value was removed when it was not located. Check spelling, OCR scanned pages first, or enter the exact text shown in the document.
Does redaction make all text unselectable?
Yes. Secure flattening turns every page into an image. If you need searchable non-sensitive text afterward, run OCR on the redacted result and verify that hidden values remain absent.
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