How-to guide
How to permanently redact text from a PDF
Black boxes aren't enough — hidden text underneath can still be copied. Here's how to redact a PDF so the content is truly gone on export.
Why visual redaction isn't enough
Drawing a black rectangle over text only hides it visually. The underlying characters remain in the file and can be selected, copied, or extracted. Permanent redaction removes the content itself.
Steps to permanently redact
In TerraTolga, redaction is applied and then flattened into the exported PDF so nothing recoverable is left behind.
- Open your PDF and select the Redact tool
- Draw redaction marks over text, images, or whole regions
- Review every page to confirm coverage
- Export — redactions are flattened and the original content is removed
Frequently asked questions
Can redacted text be recovered after export?
No. TerraTolga flattens redactions on export, so the underlying text and images are removed from the exported file.
Can I redact scanned documents?
Yes — redaction marks cover any region, including scanned image content, and are flattened on export.
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