PDF is one of the most popular file formats in the business world, especially for documents like contracts, legal papers, and important reports. However, there are times when you need to redact or black out certain information from the PDF before sharing the file with others. This could be personal information, confidential data, or sensitive details that need to be hidden from prying eyes. So, how do you black out on a PDF? In this blog, we’ll explore different methods to help you accomplish this task easily and efficiently.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Blacking Out on A PDF
PDF is known for its security features, which can make it a challenge to modify or edit. When you need to black out certain parts of the PDF, you may find that it’s not as simple as using the "paint" tool to color over the text or image. If you’ve ever tried this method, you’ll know that it can be messy and time-consuming, and it often leaves behind traces of the text or image that was covered up, defeating the whole purpose of blacking out the information.
But don’t worry, there are other ways to black out on a PDF that are more effective and user-friendly. In the next section, we’ll go over what you should prepare for before attempting to black out on a PDF.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before we dive into the different methods to black out on a PDF, there are a few things you should prepare for:
1. Software – You’ll need to have a PDF editor or viewer that supports redaction or blacking out features. Some popular options include Adobe Acrobat, Foxit PhantomPDF, and Nitro Pro.
2. Source Document – Make sure you have the original PDF file or a backup copy before you start blacking out information. This will come in handy if you accidentally delete or black out something you didn’t mean to.
3. Backup – Always create a backup of the PDF file before you start editing it. This way, if something goes wrong, you can always revert back to the original file.
Method 1: Via Adobe Acrobat Pro
Adobe Acrobat Pro is a popular software used to edit and format PDF files. It offers a built-in redaction tool that allows you to black out text or images easily.
1. Open the PDF file you want to black out in Adobe Acrobat Pro.
2. Click on the "Tools" tab, select "Redact", and then choose "Mark for Redaction".
3. Highlight the text or image you want to black out.
4. Right-click on the highlighted area and select "Mark for Redaction". You can also use the keyboard shortcut "Ctrl+Shift+A".
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for all the text or images you want to black out.
6. Click on the "Apply Redactions" button under the "Redaction" tab.
7. Save the PDF file with a new name to prevent any accidental changes to the original file.
Pros:
– Adobe Acrobat Pro is a popular and trusted PDF editing software
– The redaction tool is easy to use and offers powerful features
– You can redact multiple areas at once
Cons:
– Adobe Acrobat Pro is a paid software, which may not be affordable for everyone
– The redaction tool can be time-consuming if you have a large document with many areas to black out
– The redaction marks are not immediately visible until you apply them, which can be confusing for some users
Method 2: Via Web-based Tools
There are many online tools available that allow you to edit PDF files without downloading any software. One of the most popular web-based PDF editors is Smallpdf.
1. Go to smallpdf.com and select "PDF Editor" from the top menu.
2. Drag and drop the PDF file you want to black out onto the editing window.
3. Click on the "Redact" tab on the left side, and then select "Blackout".
4. Use your mouse to drag a rectangle over the text or image you want to black out.
5. Repeat step 4 for all the text or images you want to black out.
6. Click on the "Apply" button to finalize the changes.
7. Download the blacked-out PDF file to your computer.
Pros:
– Web-based tools are easy to access from any device with internet access
– Smallpdf is a popular and user-friendly PDF editor
– You don’t need to install any software on your computer
Cons:
– Web-based tools may not be as secure as offline software
– You may experience upload or download issues if you have a slow internet connection
– The free version of Smallpdf has limited features and file size restrictions
Method 3: Via Microsoft Word or Paint
If you don’t have access to Adobe Acrobat Pro or web-based PDF editors, you can use Microsoft Word or Paint to black out on a PDF.
1. Open the PDF file you want to black out in Microsoft Word.
2. Copy the text or image you want to black out and paste it onto a new Word document.
3. Highlight the pasted text or image, and then select "Font Color" from the "Home" tab.
4. Choose the black color option.
5. Save the Word document as a PDF file.
6. Open the new PDF file in a PDF viewer to ensure all the blacked-out text or images are visible.
Pros:
– Most users have access to Microsoft Word or Paint on their computers
– This method is simple and straightforward
Cons:
– Blacking out in Word or Paint can be messy and less accurate than using a dedicated PDF editor
– You may lose some formatting or quality when saving the Word document as a PDF
– This method is not suitable for blacking out multiple areas in a large PDF document
Why Can’t I Black Out on A PDF and How to Fix It
1. The PDF is password-protected – You need to remove the password protection before you can edit or black out the PDF. If you have the password, simply enter it when prompted. If you don’t have the password, you can try using a password recovery tool or contact the owner of the PDF for assistance.
2. The PDF is locked for editing – The owner of the PDF may have locked the file to prevent any modifications. You need to ask for permission to edit the PDF or use a dedicated PDF converter to convert it to an editable format.
3. The PDF editor doesn’t have a redaction or blacking out feature – Not all PDF editors support the redaction or blacking out feature. You can either try a different PDF editor or use one of the alternative methods mentioned above.
Additional Tips
– Always create a backup of the original PDF file before you start editing it.
– Make sure to save the blacked-out PDF file with a new name to prevent any accidental changes to the original file.
– Double-check the blacked-out areas to ensure all the sensitive information is fully covered.
5 FAQs about Blacking Out on A PDF
Q1. Can I black out multiple areas at once?
A1. Yes, you can use the batch processing feature in Adobe Acrobat Pro to black out multiple areas at once.
Q2. Can I undo the blacking out if I make a mistake?
A2. Yes, most PDF editors allow you to undo or delete the blacked-out areas if you make a mistake.
Q3. Can I use free web-based PDF editors to black out on a PDF?
A3. Yes, there are many free web-based PDF editors available. However, the free versions may have limited features or file size restrictions.
Q4. Can I black out on a PDF on my mobile device?
A4. Yes, you can use PDF editor apps on your mobile device to black out on a PDF. However, some apps may have limited features or compatibility issues.
Q5. Can I share the blacked-out PDF file with others?
A5. Yes, you can share the blacked-out PDF file with others, but make sure to double-check the blacked-out areas to ensure all the sensitive information is fully covered.
In Conclusion
Blacking out on a PDF can be challenging, especially if you’re not familiar with the editing tools. But with the right software or web-based tools, you can easily remove sensitive information from a PDF file. Remember to always create a backup of the original file, use trusted software or web-based tools, and double-check the blacked-out areas before sharing the file with others.