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PdfDady

Redact a PDF

Hide account numbers, addresses or names before you share a PDF. Mark areas by hand or find every match of a word or number, and the marked pages are rebuilt so the hidden text is truly gone.

1. Add a PDF and mark what to hide

2. Find and redact

Or mark every

Add a PDF to redact.

Pages with marks are turned into images with the areas blacked out, so the hidden text is really gone — it can't be selected, searched or uncovered. Other pages are unchanged. Search finds real text only; check every page, and search the result before sharing. The document title and other metadata are replaced.

How to redact a PDF

  1. Add your PDF

    Choose one PDF, up to 100 MB. Every page appears large enough to mark.

  2. Mark what to hide

    Drag boxes over areas, or search for a word, name or number and mark every match. Presets find Aadhaar, PAN, phone numbers and email addresses.

  3. Check the marks

    Remove any mark you don't want with its × button. Check every page: scanned pages need boxes drawn by hand.

  4. Redact and download

    Press Redact and save redacted.pdf. Search it before sharing to confirm.

What you can do with this tool

  • Real redaction

    Marked pages are redrawn as images with the areas filled black. The original text on those pages isn't in the new file.

  • Find and mark

    Mark every match of a word or number in one go, including Aadhaar, PAN, phone numbers and emails.

  • Masked Aadhaar

    Hide the first 8 digits of an Aadhaar number and keep the last 4 visible.

  • Other pages untouched

    Pages without marks are copied as they are, with selectable text.

  • Stays on your device

    Your PDF is not uploaded. Free, no sign-up.

Limits and what you get

InputOne PDF, up to 100 MB
Redacted pagesBecome images (200 DPI)Text on them can't be selected or searched
Other pagesUnchanged
SearchFinds real text onlyScanned pages need boxes drawn by hand
MetadataReplaced with a generic title
OutputOne PDF named redacted.pdf

Frequently asked questions

Is a black box over text real redaction?

No. A box drawn in most PDF editors only covers the text, which can still be copied or uncovered. Here, marked pages are rebuilt as images with the areas filled in, so the text is removed.

How do I mask my Aadhaar number in a PDF?

Use “Aadhaar, keep last 4 digits”. It marks the first 8 digits of every Aadhaar number it finds, leaving the last 4 visible, the usual masked format. Check the result, especially on scanned pages.

Can I redact every occurrence of a word at once?

Yes. Type the word, name or number and press Mark all. Every match on every page is marked for you to check.

Why can't I select text on redacted pages?

Those pages are now images, which is what makes the redaction permanent. Pages without marks keep their selectable text.

Will it find text in a scanned PDF?

No. Scans are pictures of text, so search can't see the words. Draw boxes over the areas by hand.

Does redaction remove metadata?

The new file gets a generic title instead of the original's details. To edit or remove other metadata, use Edit PDF Metadata.

Is my PDF uploaded?

No. Everything happens in your browser.

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