Image default
Tech

How to redact parts of a PDF to remove sensitive information

AVMImage: AVM

When you share a PDF document, you might not want all the information it contains to be visible. Here’s how to simply redact parts of a PDF.

While premium PDF editors include this feature, the easiest way to redact is to use the free PDF tools from PDF24. Go to https://tools.pdf24.org in your browser and then click on the “Redact PDF” checkbox.

On the following page, click on “Select PDF,” select the PDF file in Explorer and click on “Open.” As soon as the PDF is loaded, first select the page on which the area you want to cover is located in the small toolbar at the top left.

Now click on the “Add shape” icon in the toolbar and select a shape that can completely cover the area. The PDF tools will now display a corresponding black graphic. Drag and drop it over your area with the mouse and adjust its size using the handles on the sides.

Further reading: The best PDF editors

Foundry

If you want to signal to the recipient of the PDF that some passages have been deliberately made unrecognizable, leave the black area as it is. Otherwise you can also set a different color:

To do this, click on “Set fill color” in the toolbar and select a suitable shade in the following selection window using the color bar on the right-hand side and by moving the small, black dot in the colored rectangle.

For example, you will find the color white in the top left-hand corner. Click on “choose” to apply the color. If you also want to change the black borders, click on “Set line color” in the toolbar.

Finally, scroll down and click on “Save PDF.” This may take a moment. Then continue by clicking on “Download.” The PDF tools save the edited file in the download folder of your browser.

Please note: When editing, the page is inserted into your PDF document as an image. Any existing links on this page can no longer be clicked on.

Further reading: PDF24 Creator review

This article was translated from German to English and originally appeared on pcwelt.de.

This article originally appeared on our sister publication PC-WELT and was translated and localized from German.

Roland Freist bearbeitet als freier IT-Fachjournalist Themen rund um Windows, Anwendungen, Netzwerke, Security und Internet.

Recent stories by Roland Freist:

7 once-popular PC programs that are now outdated (and their successors)Outlook: How to set up breaks between your meetingsBeyond Chrome: Switch to these 6 obscure browsers for better security

Related posts

California AI bill SB 1047 aims to prevent AI disasters, but Silicon Valley warns it will cause one

admin

Framework Laptop 16 review: The perfect laptop for PC hardware nerds

admin

Lock in a lifetime of Microsoft Office for more than $100 off

admin

Leave a Comment