How To Redact A Document

Redaction is no child’s play. We're talking about protecting the confidentiality of documents in a world where oversharing is more common than cat videos on the internet. eDiscovery pros often deal with droves of information that can take up gigabytes and even terabytes of storage space. Unfortunately, this doesn’t excuse a failure to redact sensitive information. 

Different document types may require different redaction techniques, and some redaction tools might support redacting certain common document types, like PDFs, Word and Excel files, and emails, but not others.

If you don’t redact specific text or audiovisual files before turning them over to opposing parties in litigation, you run the risk of handing over privileged client or third-party information on a silver platter. Apart from preserving privilege and protecting private data, redaction needs to comply with legal and ethical obligations. If it goes sideways, you’ll have authorities and institutions running behind you with serious sanctions and penalties.

Avoid Sanctions, Follow Procedure!

Before we dig into how you can put on your redaction ninja hat, let’s find out what redaction is. Successful redaction is  making sensitive data in your documents disappear like a pro.  Just like hiding your embarrassing high school photos (you know, the ones with the terrible hair and braces) before your date comes over. You know they exist, but no one needs to see them. Redaction keeps prying eyes away from critical information, ensuring that your privileged  data remains as elusive as Bigfoot.

There are several tools out there that can help you redact documents with the stealth of a silent-but-deadly assassin. We’ll get to that in a minute. But first, let's look at some methods on how to redact a document.

Method 1: The Classic Sharpie

Grab a trusty black marker and start blacking out sensitive information like it's an arts and crafts project gone rogue. 

You’re probably wondering if you’re still reading an article by Logikcull, aren’t you? 

We’d never suggest manual redaction—it's almost always inappropriate, full of errors, and makes your performance 10x slower. 

Because how do you manually find and hide each piece of sensitive information in your data set? The best part is, you don’t have to. Not manually, at least.

Because if a drive featuring every document generated by a company over the past five years is dropped in your lap—you’d be thanking your stars that document redaction software exists. 

Method 2: PDF Redaction Tools

Depending on how a PDF was created, it can be challenging to redact confidential information from the document or its metadata. If you prefer a no nonsense approach that doesn't involve inhaling marker fumes, there are plenty of software tools to redact text in PDFs. 

Adobe Acrobat Pro, for example, has a built-in redaction tool that's as easy as pie (mmm, pie). Simply open your document, mark the text or images you want to redact, and watch them vanish into thin air like Houdini. Just remember, once you save, there's no turning back. So double-check your work before hitting that save button, or you might end up with a redaction blunder. Yet again, you’re still stuck doing the manual work of identifying text and images that need redaction.

Method 3: Word Processor Redaction

For those who live and breathe Microsoft Word or similar word processors, there are add-ins that can help. Install the add-in, select the text you want to hide, and let the magic happen. Just make sure to convert your document to a non-editable format before sharing it with others. After all, we don't want any sneaky editing undoing our hard work.

We know manual redaction isn’t the best way and that lawyers should rely on automation and use specialized eDiscovery tools but Adobe and Word are still way better than your old, black marker friend. So, let’s dig into how you can become a pro Adobe redactor!

How To Redact In Adobe Acrobat Standard

Adobe Acrobat Standard might not be as fancy as its sibling, Adobe Acrobat Pro, but you can still achieve redaction greatness using some nifty online services. 

To redact a PDF without Adobe Pro, head over to Adobe Acrobat Online Services and upload your document. Once it's there, you can start marking the text or images you want to redact with the stealth of a cat burglar. In addition, Adobe imposes a second step for removing hidden data and related metadata from a PDF. Failing to complete this second step may allow parties receiving a “redacted” PDF to uncover a portion of the redacted information. When you're done, simply save the file and share it with confidence, knowing that your secrets are safe and sound.

If you're rocking Adobe Acrobat DC or Adobe Acrobat Pro, the process is even smoother. Open your document, go to the "Tools" tab, and click on the "Redact" option like the boss you are. Choose your preferred redaction color (because why not add a splash of personality to your redactions?), mark the areas you wish to conceal, and watch them fade away like a distant memory. For those using Adobe Acrobat Standard 2017, the process is similar. 

Redact PDF Mac

Apple bros—we haven't forgotten about you. Use the ever-reliable Preview app, your trusty sidekick in this redaction mission.

First, open your PDF file in Preview and prepare yourself for some redaction magic. Though Preview doesn't have a dedicated redaction tool, we’re still better off than black markers and magnifying glasses. 

To redact text or images, locate the "Markup Toolbar" (it's the button with the little toolbox icon that's just begging to be clicked). Now, here's where things get fun. You'll want to use the "Rectangular Selection" tool to draw a box around the sensitive information you want to hide. Once you've made your selection, it's time to unleash your inner artist.

Click on the "Sketch" tool in the Markup Toolbar, then select the color black (or any other color that suits your fancy). Carefully draw over the selected area, making sure to cover every last pixel of the sensitive data. And…voilà! You've successfully redacted your PDF usingPreview in Mac, earning bragging rights among your fellow Apple bros. 

How to Black Out Text in Adobe Acrobat Standard or PDF Online

The internet is here to save the day with online tools that can help you redact PDFs, even if Adobe Pro isn't in your arsenal. Let's explore the world of online redaction and set your sensitive information free (or, rather, keep it hidden).

To redact a PDF without Adobe Pro, just type "redact PDF online" into your favorite search engine, and select one of the options available. 

Once you've found your redaction partner, upload your document and see it get to work. These user-friendly websites typically offer simple tools to mask or redact the sensitive information within your PDF. 

For those using Windows 10, there are also free redaction tools available to download. Simply search for "redact pdf free windows 10" and take your pick.

How To Black Out Text In a PDF Without Redact

We've all been in that pickle where we need to black out text in a PDF without walking the traditional redaction route. Let's face it, it's either too time-consuming, or perhaps you're just feeling a bit anarchistic today. Who are we  to judge? So, whether it's a swift fix for a fleeting problem, or you've decided to mount a personal rebellion against Adobe Acrobat Online Services—your secret is safe with us.

Just between you and us, blacking out text doesn't necessarily require the Adobe Acrobat Reader or its PDF redact arsenal. Shocking, isn't it? But trust me, you will survive this revelation. In fact, you may even find yourself having a bit more fun!

So, buckle up as we weave through the art of redacting PDF, skipping the Adobe detours, and leaving those standard redaction tools in our dust. 

Adobe Acrobat Online Services

Even if you don't have Adobe Pro, you can still use Adobe's online services to black out text. Simply upload your document and use the drawing or rectangle tool to cover the sensitive information with a solid color. It's not "official" redaction, but it gets the job done.

Black Out Text in PDF Online

There are plenty of websites that allow you to edit PDFs and black out text directly in your browser. Just search for "black out text in pdf online," choose a reputable site, and follow the instructions provided. Easy peasy!

Adobe Acrobat Standard & Adobe Reader

Both Adobe Acrobat Standard and Adobe Reader offer basic annotation tools that can help you black out text. While these applications don't have dedicated redaction features, you can use the drawing tools to cover sensitive information with colored shapes or lines.

Free PDF Editors

A simple search for "how to blackout text in pdf free" will reveal a treasure trove of free PDF editors that can help you achieve your goal. Just make sure to choose a trustworthy application and always double-check the results. 

PDF Redact Tool

When it comes to redacting your top-secret PDF files, you don't need to be a spy or have access to expensive software. With the right PDF redact tool, you can protect sensitive information like a pro, even if you're on a tight budget. Let's explore some options.

If you're looking to redact a PDF without Adobe Pro, there are plenty of free pdf redaction tool downloads available online. Just search for "free pdf redaction tool download," and you'll find a treasure trove of options that'll have you redacting text and images in no time. 

For those who prefer an online approach, there are websites offering pdf redactor services that allow you to edit and redact your documents directly in your browser. Simply upload your PDF, follow the site's instructions, and watch your sensitive data disappear. 

And let's not forget our friends using Adobe Acrobat DC. While not free, this powerful software includes a built-in redact tool that makes the process a breeze. Just open your document, head to the "Tools" tab, and click on the "Redact" option to conceal your confidential information.

Redaction Software

Manual redaction can make you have countless sleepless nights blacking out information. One oversight and—boom—there’s your disaster.

With the right redaction software, you can conceal your secrets like a digital ninja. Redaction software like Logikcull can make this process easier. Even better, such tools are often intuitive and reliable enough that they can avoid the most common mistakes.

However, it’s important to not get sloppy when you redact documents. For instance, overworked professionals will sometimes forget to conceal hidden information that could easily be revealed by someone with rudimentary digital knowledge. One example is that metadata often contains a treasure trove of confidential information. Failing to conceal it can expose data without you even realizing it. Additionally, consistency throughout a legal document is imperative. 

Our platform allows for direct integration with common data sources, such as Slack, Google, and Microsoft 365. After easily ingesting all your data, you can automatically detect and tag PII and categorize it into predefined search filters by PII type — to then redact all of those elements at once in bulk.

With audio files, Logikcull transcribes them automatically and lets you redact any words in them — both in the audio file and in its transcript. 

And you can apply redactions along with conducting your entire discovery process in a secure closed-loop system, keeping people who shouldn’t have access to sensitive information from getting it.

‍