Find and Redact
Search a PDF for names, numbers or patterns and cover every match with an opaque box in your browser. Rasterise afterwards to remove the hidden text.
Upload PDF File
About This Tool
Find and Redact searches every page of a PDF for a word, number or regular expression, lets you review the matches, and draws an opaque box over each one you select. It covers the text; it does not delete it, so the file still holds the original words until you rasterise it.
Important: after applying the boxes, run the result through Rasterize PDF (PDF output). That rebuilds each page as an image of what you see, so the covered text, the text layer and the file's metadata are not carried over. Then search the new file for a redacted word to confirm it is gone.
Search options include case-sensitive matching, whole words and regular expressions, which help with repeated identifiers such as account or batch numbers. The search reads the PDF's text layer, so scanned pages without OCR text will not produce matches: use Redact PDF to draw boxes by hand instead.
The document is processed in your browser tab and is not uploaded. Read how to redact a PDF properly for the full process and the checks to run before sharing.
How to Use
Add Your PDF
Select the PDF. It stays on your device.
Search
Enter the text, number or regular expression to find.
Review Matches
Check the matches and untick any you want to keep visible.
Apply and Rasterise
Apply the boxes and download, then convert that file with Rasterize PDF so the covered text is removed.
Use Cases
Repeated Identifiers
Cover every occurrence of a patient, employee or batch identifier in a long report before rasterising it for release.
Legal Disclosure
Mark names and account numbers across a document set prepared for disclosure.
Financial Statements
Box account and card numbers in statements before sharing a rasterised copy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this permanently remove the text?
No. It draws opaque boxes over the matches, and the text underneath stays in the file. Convert the result with Rasterize PDF to remove it, then search the new file to confirm.
Can I redact scanned pages?
Only if the scan has an OCR text layer, because the search reads text. For image-only pages, draw boxes by hand with Redact PDF and then rasterise.
Can I change how the boxes look?
Yes, you can set the box colour and add a border or replacement text.
How do regular expressions help?
Turn on regular expressions to match patterns, for example 4 groups of 4 digits for card numbers, instead of typing each value.