Redact a PDF
Permanently remove sensitive areas from a PDF: text and images located under the area are irreversibly destroyed. Directly in DocuNest's unified PDF editor (Edit menu).
Redact a PDF in DocuNest: 100% local processing on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Automatable via the docunest CLI.

Built into the unified PDF editor. This tool is used directly within the DocuNest editor: open your PDF, apply the action, undo with Ctrl+Z if needed, then move on to any other tool — without ever reloading your file.
Discover the PDF editor →Features
Use cases
Protect personal data
Remove names, addresses, or social security numbers before distribution.
Respond to an access request
Redact third-party information in a document before disclosure.
Legal compliance
Permanently eliminate confidential clauses from a shared contract.
Command line
Same result as the interface, in one command. Nothing leaves your machine.
docunest — zsh
local# Redact an area ❯ docunest pdf redact -i document.pdf --page 1 --rect "100,700,200,30" -o result.pdf ✓ Done — file written locally, no network upload
Frequently asked questions
Is the text under the redaction deleted?
Can I redact multiple areas?
Is redaction reversible?
Similar tools
Encrypt a PDF
Lock your PDFs with a password and finely manage permissions: printing, copying, modifying. Directly in DocuNest's unified PDF editor.
✏️Edit a PDF
Edit text and images in an existing PDF just like in a word processor: double-click a paragraph, retype, and the content shifts automatically. Directly in DocuNest's unified PDF editor.
🗑️Delete pages
Delete one or more pages from a PDF to keep only the useful content. Directly in DocuNest's unified PDF editor (Pages menu).
Stop sending your PDFs to the cloud.
Download DocuNest: the complete editor, 7-day trial, no credit card, no files leaving your machine.
Download for freeDownload DocuNest
No account required, no data collected.
Linux
Install a system package, or use the AppImage if you prefer a portable version.
Windows 10+, macOS 12+ (Apple Silicon), Linux (deb / rpm / AppImage)