Help Center
Everything you need to know about using RedactText effectively
🚀 Getting Started
📖 How to Use RedactText
Enter Your Text
Paste or type the text you want to redact in the input area. You can enter any amount of text - from a single sentence to entire documents.
Specify Words to Redact
In the "Words to Redact" field, enter the words or phrases you want to hide. Separate multiple words with commas. The tool will find and redact all instances of these words.
Configure Advanced Options
Use the "Advanced Options" dropdown to enable case-insensitive matching and whole word matching only. These options give you more control over the redaction process.
Click Redact Text
Click the "Redact Text" button to process your text. The redacted version will appear in the output area with the specified words replaced by block characters (█).
Review and Export
Review your redacted text. You can copy the result or download it as a text file. The copy and download buttons are located below the output area.
💡 Tips & Best Practices
🎯 Be Specific
Use specific words or phrases rather than general terms. For example, use "John Smith" instead of just "John" to avoid over-redaction.
⚙️ Use Advanced Options
Enable "Case insensitive matching" to catch variations like "John", "john", and "JOHN". Use "Whole word matching only" to avoid partial matches.
🔍 Whole Words Only
When enabled, the tool redacts whole words only. If you redact "cat", it won't affect "category" or "scattered".
📊 Check Results
Always review your redacted text before sharing. The output area shows the final result with all specified words replaced by block characters.
💾 Save Your Work
Copy or download your redacted text immediately using the buttons below the output area. The tool doesn't save your work between sessions.
🔄 Multiple Redactions
You can redact multiple different words or phrases in a single operation by separating them with commas in the "Words to Redact" field.
📄 File Uploads
For PDF and Word documents, use our specialized tools. PDF redaction supports text selection and redaction, while Word redaction includes metadata scrubbing.
🌙 Dark Mode
Toggle between light and dark modes using the sun/moon icon in the navigation menu. Your preference is saved automatically.
🔧 Troubleshooting
Text not redacting properly
Solution: Make sure you're entering the exact words or phrases you want to redact. Check for typos and ensure proper spacing. Try enabling "Case insensitive matching" in Advanced Options.
PDF file not uploading
Solution: Ensure your PDF file is not password-protected and is under 10MB. Try using a different browser or clearing your browser cache.
Word document processing fails
Solution: Make sure you're uploading a .docx file (not .doc). The file should be under 10MB and not corrupted. Try saving and re-uploading the document.
Copy button not working
Solution: Some browsers require user interaction before allowing clipboard access. Try clicking in the text area first, then use the copy button.
Download not working
Solution: Check if your browser allows downloads. You can also manually copy the text and paste it into a text editor to save.
Dark mode not working
Solution: Try refreshing the page or clearing your browser's localStorage. The dark mode toggle is in the navigation menu.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is RedactText really free?
Yes! RedactText is completely free to use with no registration required, no limits, and no hidden costs. All three tools (Text, PDF, and Word redaction) are free.
Is my data secure?
Absolutely. All processing happens in your browser. We never see, store, or transmit your data to our servers. Your files and text never leave your device.
What file types are supported?
We support plain text (copy/paste), PDF documents (.pdf), and Word documents (.docx). All processing happens locally in your browser.
What browsers are supported?
RedactText works on all modern browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. We recommend using the latest version of your browser for best performance.
How accurate is the redaction?
RedactText is very accurate for whole-word matching. It will find and redact all instances of the specified words or phrases. You can use advanced options for case-insensitive matching.
Can I redact PDF documents?
Yes! Our PDF redaction tool allows you to upload PDF files, select text areas to redact, and download the redacted PDF. All processing happens in your browser.
Can I redact Word documents?
Yes! Our Word redaction tool supports .docx files. It can redact text content and also scrub metadata like author information, creation dates, and comments.
What are the file size limits?
For PDF and Word documents, we recommend files under 10MB for optimal performance. There are no limits for plain text redaction.