2 Methods to Redact PDF

Redacting PDF documents has become a key necessity, especially when all the dealings and trading of the world are transferring to digital forms, primarily in PDF format. Following that, a proper and legit tool is required to properly manage all the aspects of PDF, from editing to managing and securing.

In this article, we will discuss what redact means in a PDF file, along with various methods and tools to redact a PDF document properly.

Part 1. What Does Redact Mean in PDF?

Redaction of a PDF file refers to the editing process in which you permanently black out sensitive information, including text or images on a PDF document before its publication and sharing it with the public. Large corporations or government sectors often use this feature to blur essential or confidential information in PDF files before sharing it with third-party.

Importance of Redacting a PDF Document

Redaction is an important feature for corporates, law informants, and the health industry as most documents are required to be handout in public. However, all the data on the PDF must not be shared with the public as of identifiable information such as name, address, blood group, and phone number. This is where the redaction tool plays its part by blurring or concealing the sensitive and private information presented in the PDF.

One thing that must be kept in mind while using different PDF redaction tools is that all of the tools don't blur out the selected area of the text completely, or by highlighting the blurred text, it becomes invisible. So, using verified and authentic redaction tools for your PDF files is highly necessary.

Part 2. How to Redact PDF Online Free

Xodo PDF Online is an online PDF editor tool that offers a complete online PDF solution for its user. Users can edit PDFs to view, annotate, crop, and flatten the document. Furthermore, they can also convert PDFs into different file formats. Xodo PDF Online also allows users to redact their PDF online for free using their "Redact PDF" feature. Follow the steps mentioned to redact your PDF file online with Xodo PDF Online for free:

Step 1: Open Xodo Redact PDF Tool on your computer by searching it up on a search engine. Add a PDF file that you are required to redact by tapping on the "Select File" option or by using a drag-drop feature. You can also import PDF files from Dropbox or Google Drive.

Step 2: After importing the PDF file, select the area you want to redact by dragging the cursor over the area. You can also zoom in and out of the pages, along with choosing the orientation of the pages and layout.

Step 3: After selecting the area, you want to redact, click on the "Redact" button. It will take a few seconds to process and once your file is ready, click on "Download" to download the file on your computer.

Part 3. How to Redact PDF with Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat is an ideal solution for PDF files. Being a PDF editor enjoyed by businesses and individuals worldwide, it provides a comprehensive solution from editing to adding signatures.

Besides basic editing features, it also offers advanced features such as flattening, password protection, and redacting PDF documents to keep the document safe and secure. Understand the steps thoroughly to make sure that you blackout all of the required confidential data in a PDF file using redact PDF tool on Adobe Acrobat:

Step 1: Download Adobe Acrobat on your Windows or Mac device. After launching the Acrobat, navigate to "Redact Tool". Follow it up by importing a PDF file on Adobe Acrobat by clicking on the "Select File" option.

Step 2: From the toolbar, tap on "Mark for Reduction" and click on "Text and Images." Mark the elements in the PDF file you are required to blackout permanently.

mark the elements for redaction with adobe to redact pdf free

Step 3: Tap the "Apply" button to blackout the marked elements from the PDF. As soon as you click the apply button, a small window will open with the option "OK" to confirm the changes. After redacting the PDF, click on the "File" option from the toolbar and choose the "Save As" option. Rename the file and select the location to save the redacted PDF document.

Part 4. The Best PDF Tool You Shouldn't Miss

UPDF is a renowned best PDF editor for Mac, Windows, Android, and iOS users. It provides a complete solution from basic to advanced features to edit and manage PDF files. With its robust and quick service, the heavy workflow becomes manageable, making UPDF an ideal PDF editor for big companies and organizations. If you want to try this useful PDF editing tool, you can download it by clicking the download button below.

UPDF always strives to develop new, better, and more powerful features to make it a reliable tool with an efficient experience. Along with other advanced features, the UPDF redact PDF files feature is also under development and will soon be available to UPDF users to quickly redact PDF files without any hassle.

Key Features of UPDF Robust PDF Editor

Listed down are some salient features UPDF offers to its users to make the user experience smooth and genuine:

Add Image to PDF: UPDF allows users to add images to the PDF file so that users can easily update their PDF documents with new images occasionally. Users can also replace and delete the pictures in a PDF file with UPDF.
Password Protect PDF: UPDF offers the user to password-protect important PDFs with sensitive and confidential information. This ensures that your data remains secure and can only be accessed by users with a password so that it doesn't fall into the wrong hands.
Text Markup in PDF File: Users can edit the text of a PDF file with different text markup tools, such as highlighting, underlining, or striking through the text to differentiate the important information in the PDF file.

Part 5. FAQs on Redacting PDFs

1. How Do I Redact a PDF for Free?

UPDF offers the best solution for managing your PDF files. However, the redaction tool is under work and will be available soon. Till then, you can use other free options such as Xodo PDF Online as a free redact tool, as discussed in the article.

2. How Do I Redact a PDF Online?

Xodo PDF Online is the best online PDF editor, which also offers the feature to redact PDF online for free.

3. How Do I Redact a PDF in Chrome?

Download the PDF Filler for Chrome extension from the Chrome store and open a PDF file on your Chrome. After adding the PDF file, you will see an option in an orange box as "Fill & Edit." As soon as you tap on fill, it will redirect you to PDF editor online website, where you can redact PDF by choosing the "Blackout PDF" feature from the tools. After redacting the PDF, click on "Done."

A small window will appear on your screen with the options. You have to click on the "PDF" option. Next, register your email on PDF Filler, and your redacted PDF will be saved on the PDF Filler extension, from where you can save it on your computer.

4. Why Can't I not Redact my PDF?

You will not be allowed to redact the PDF file if you see the redact tool greyed out. It means that the PDF file has been locked, and to redact the file, you must first unlock the PDF for editing.

5. How Do I Blur Text in PDF Free?

You can blur the text in PDF files using Xodo PDF Online, free software to edit PDF files. However, with the launch of the redaction tool in UPDF, you can easily switch to UPDF as it is a more secure and reliable option to edit PDF files.

Final Words

To blackout information in a PDF file, it is essential to use reliable methods and tools so that no one can trace the information back once it is blacked out. Relying on the available online solution is not an answer, especially if you are working in a highly confidential department where there is a significant risk of the information getting leaked.

UPDF, a complete solution for PDF files, will soon launch the "Redaction of PDF" feature for its user to operate across different devices and operating systems. Download UPDF today to manage and edit your PDF files on the go.