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tjk84938930
tjk84938930
Participant
October 13, 2015
Answered

How do I apply redaction and type over it?

  • October 13, 2015
  • 13 replies
  • 382855 views

I used to be able to do this in older versions of Acrobat (I am now using Pro DC). I would add a text box, with a white fill and no border to white out whatever I wanted covered up. Then I would create the text I wanted somewhere else on the document, type the text, then drag it over the white box.

 

Now, the text I drag over defaults to being hidden behind the white text box. I try bringing it front, that does nothing. I wouldn't even need to create additional text, but the text box text color defaults to red and I cannot change that either. SO FRUSTRATING, especially since I used to be able to do this. Someone please help! Thanks in advance.

 

-TJ

    Correct answer Test Screen Name

    Before you can Apply redactions you must create them by somehow marking where you want them. See the help file for your version for the ways you can do this.

    13 replies

    Show previous replies
    A
    Anonymous
    September 20, 2016

    However old this thread may be, people still search and find it, looking for this info.  Here's what I do:

    1) Go to "Comment" on right side of toolbar to open "Tools, Sign, Comment" side pane.

    2) Under Drawing Markups, click on picture of text box ("Add text box").  Add text box over text you want to hide and size as needed.  Adjust color of box or border as needed by right clicking on box (while in text box mode, i.e., button is on)

    3) Then, go to Annotations, above, and select the "T" ("Add text comment").  Type replacement text anywhere on doc (can't type over text box).  To edit the text, if little properties box is not open, click on side and click again on text (different from CNTRL+E).

    4) Now, drag your text over your box and align.

    5) Has to be done in above order.

    6) In order to hide the fact that I've made changes, or ensure that my changes don't get changed, I then print to Adobe to create a new doc.

    7) One last thing.  When you print, make sure that under "Comments & Forms" on your print dialog box, you have "Documents and Markups" selected from dropdown.

    P.S.   OP, it sounds like you didn't do it in the right order, or you tried to repeat, which doesn't work either -- have to do the steps.  As for the red, see my description of changing color.  There are various ways to create text boxes, so must use method above.

    try67
    Community Expert
    try67Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 20, 2016

    Doing that doesn't guarantee at all that the text you've overwritten can't

    be accessed. The only way to do that is to use the Redaction tool, and then

    you wont have to print the file, which causes all kinds of problems on its

    own.

    A
    Anonymous
    September 21, 2016

    I've done this many times.  How would it be accessed and what are the "all kinds of problems" you refer to?

    Martigan
    Martigan
    Participant
    May 20, 2016

    Hi tjk84938930

    I know this thread is old but I have a similar requirement and the workarounds provided to you were a bit crappy, so I decided to post my solution.

    I would refrain from using the commenting box in several cases because the commenting box will be a visible alteration in editing and commenting mode and can be shifted by the receiver, revealing that a workaround was used. This doesn't always suggest a suitable level of professionalism and, hence, is my least favoured option and would only be used if all revisions are being done through the commenting tools.

    Deleting and re-entering text, as suggested by Priyanja, isn't always possible either i.e. due to corrupted text recognition.

    The solution that works for me:

    1. Create a white space image file

    2. Import it into your pdf using "Add Image"

    3. Alter the size as required

    4. Create a text layer using "Add Text" which you can move over your white space

    5. Done

    Hope this helps.

      N
      Nanramsey
      Participant
      September 27, 2019
      How do I create a White space image file?
        M
        Michael36229215ioxv
        Participant
        March 21, 2024

        open up paint and just adjust the size of your document so it doesn't cover the entire page. Or you can just save a blank paint file to .jpeg and then insert it as an image. Then you can crop the image to the size needed to cover your text.

        AadeshSingh
        Community Manager
        AadeshSinghCommunity Manager
        Community Manager
        October 14, 2015

        Hi tjk84938930,

        Please refer to this KB doc. Acrobat Help | Edit text in PDFs to get a better picture about how editing working in Acrobat Pro DC.

        Use the Commenting tool -> Text box option, it will cover up you text then you can right click on that text box to change the properties like color.

        Regards,

        Aadesh

          tjk84938930
          tjk84938930Author
          Participant
          October 14, 2015

          If only it were that easy. Please see the attached screenshot. It only gives me border color and fill color options. In the example let's say I wanted to whiteout the word "Statement" after account, and replace it with "Balance". I cannot bring the word Balance to the front of the white comment box. It defaults to hiding it behind it. Someone please help.

            G
            George_Johnson
            Inspiring
            October 15, 2015

            A more consistent approach would be to redact the content you don't want and then use the text box to add the text you want. I suggest that you then flatten the text so it's no longer a comment, which you can do with the following free JavaScript-based tool: UVSAR : Selective Flattener tool for Adobe Acrobat 8, 9 and X

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