Why most "redaction" doesn't redact
Open a PDF in almost any editor, draw a black rectangle over a name, and save. It looks redacted. But the text is still in the file, right underneath the rectangle — anyone can select it, copy it, or pull it out with a script. Governments, law firms and newspapers have all leaked real information exactly this way.
The honest trade-off: because the pages become images, the result is no longer selectable text, and the file may be a little larger. That is the unavoidable cost of real redaction. A PDF that keeps its text layer keeps the hidden text too — you cannot have both.
Who uses this tool
Anyone sharing a bank statement with an account number hidden, a salary slip with the figure removed, a document with an address or phone number to be withheld, or a contract with commercial terms blacked out before it goes to a third party.
How to redact a PDF
- Choose your PDF.
- Drag across anything to be removed. Use Prev/Next to work through the pages.
- Click Redact & download. Every page is flattened, so the file you get out has no recoverable text anywhere.
Want to hide only the first 8 digits of an Aadhaar number specifically? The Aadhaar Masking tool is purpose-built for that.
Frequently asked questions
Does a black box in a PDF editor really remove the text?
No. The text remains under the box and can be selected, copied or extracted. This tool destroys the text layer instead.
What's the catch?
The pages become images, so the output isn't selectable text and may be larger. That's the price of redaction that actually works.
Can I redact a bank statement or payslip?
Yes — and because everything runs in your browser, the document is never uploaded to anyone.
Is my PDF uploaded?
No. Rendering, blacking out and rebuilding all happen on your device.
Always open the finished file and check it before you share it. You are responsible for confirming that everything you meant to remove has gone.