WrenPDF

Redact PDF

Permanently black out names, ID numbers, card numbers or signatures on a PDF. The text underneath is genuinely removed.

What it does

Before sharing a document you may want to hide an ID number, bank details, an address or a signature. The catch: many tools only draw a black box on top, and the text underneath can still be copied out. This tool turns the pages you mark into high-resolution images with the boxes burned in, so the hidden text is genuinely removed from the file.

Pages you do not touch stay as they are, sharp and small. It is a simple, reliable way to share only the personal data that is actually needed.

How to use it

  1. Drop your PDF file.
  2. Drag a box with your mouse over each area you want to hide (you can mark several boxes and pages).
  3. Press "Redact and download"; the marked pages are permanently converted to images in the worker.

When is it useful?

  • Hiding unnecessary details on an ID copy
  • Removing third-party names from documents filed with a court or agency
  • Covering account numbers on a bank statement
  • Hiding names in messages you plan to publish

Tips

  • Draw each box slightly larger than the text it covers.
  • Afterwards, open the file and search (Ctrl+F) for a redacted word to confirm it is really gone.
  • Document properties such as author or title can hold personal data too; clean them with Edit PDF Metadata.

Frequently asked questions

Is redacted text really removed?
Yes. The pages you mark are converted to high-resolution images and redrawn together with the black boxes; the page's original text and vector content is removed from the document entirely.
What happens to the pages I did not mark?
They are left untouched: original, still vector quality and still small. Only the pages you drew a box on are converted to images.
Does text search or selection still work on redacted pages?
No, and that is exactly the point: the page is an image now, with no text left underneath.
Is covering text with Edit PDF Text enough?
No. Text editing only covers the old text visually; the original stays in the file. For anything that must stay private, always use this tool.
Why did the redacted page get bigger?
The page is now an image, which takes more space than vector text. Pass the result to Compress PDF if size matters.

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