How to Redact Text in a PDF using Adobe Acrobat Pro DC
Today’s post explains how to redact content in Adobe Acrobat Pro DC while keeping a document accessible. It shows what happens when someone redacts after adding tags and why redaction should happen at the beginning of your workflow.
Video Guide
What Redaction Does
Redaction permanently removes text or images from a PDF. In Acrobat Pro DC, the Redact tool deletes selected content and replaces it with black boxes or other fill styles. Once applied, the content cannot be recovered. Users can redact text, images, and hidden data to protect sensitive information.
Preparing a PDF for Accessibility
To prepare a PDF for accessibility:
Open the PDF.
Select Prepare for Accessibility.
Choose Automatically Tag PDF.
Tagging structures the document so screen readers can recognize headings, paragraphs, lists, and other elements. This process helps users with assistive technology navigate the document correctly.
Performing the Redaction
To start redaction:
Open All Tools and select Redact a PDF.
Choose Redact Text and Images.
Drag the cursor over the content to remove, or use Find Text and Redact to locate specific words or phrases.
Click Apply to confirm the redaction.
Select Sanitize Document to remove hidden information.
Save the file to create a new, clean version.
This process permanently deletes the selected content and ensures that no sensitive information remains in the file.
What Happens When You Redact After Tagging
When redaction occurs after tagging, Acrobat removes all accessibility tags. Some pages may turn into flat images, which prevents screen readers from accessing the text. In some cases, one page might remain selectable, while another becomes an image. This outcome happens because redaction removes the document’s structure to guarantee privacy.
Why Redact Before Tagging
To maintain accessibility, always redact before tagging. This order saves time and prevents the loss of structure. Tagging a redacted document requires more effort because users must rebuild:
Reading order
Headings and text hierarchy
Alternative text for images
Redacting first keeps the final document stable and ensures accessibility features remain intact afterward.
Restoring Accessibility After Redaction
If accessibility tags are lost, they can be restored, but it takes additional work:
Run OCR on image-based pages using Scan & OCR → Recognize Text.
Recreate tags with Prepare for Accessibility → Automatically Tag PDF.
Add alternative text to images.
Check reading order with the Reading Order tool.
Run an accessibility check to confirm screen reader compatibility.
How Redaction Affects Accessibility
Accessibility depends on semantic structure. Redaction affects how screen readers interpret content, removes navigation order, and deletes image descriptions. Sanitizing a document also clears metadata and annotations, which impacts accessibility.
Recommended Workflow
Follow this workflow to keep your document both secure and accessible:
Redact sensitive content.
Sanitize the document to remove hidden data.
Save it as a final copy.
Add accessibility tags.
Run an accessibility check.
This sequence ensures privacy first and accessibility second.
Key Takeaway
Redaction protects sensitive information, but it alters accessibility features if done too late. Always redact before making the file accessible to prevent rework and preserve screen reader functionality. Proper sequencing keeps a document private, inclusive, and ready for all users.
Let me be your champion for inclusion. I offer tailored solutions (and self-paced courses!) to ensure your documents meet and exceed compliance expectations. For more detailed insights, tutorials, and in-depth discussions on accessibility and related topics, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel: The Accessibility Guy on YouTube. Subscribe for regular updates!
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