This method will only work if you’re printing out the document. If you only add black filler to existing text on a digital format, someone with know-how can reconstruct the text behind the blacked-out text and read it.
Click the drop-down arrow to the right of the ab highlighter icon in the “Font” section. Click the black box in the drop-down menu. Click the black line below the highlighter icon. Repeat this process of highlighting with black to cover text.
Keep in mind that this method is only viable for small documents. If you need to redact large amounts of text, you’ll most likely need to save Word documents as image files instead. This is the most secure method to get rid of private information.
You’ll also need to repeat this process for similar words. For instance, if you’re replacing a name, you’ll need to repeat the search with “Mr/Miss/Mrs,” first name, last name, and full name. This will ensure that all iterations of that name will be replaced.
For example, if you highlighted 20 characters (with spaces), you’ll type “x” 20 times. This process can be incredibly tedious if you have to redact multiple long lines of information. If accuracy is of utmost importance, consider converting your Word file to images instead.
Repeat this process with any other text you need to redact. Once all of your confidential text has been replaced with a string of random letters, you can proceed.
Click the drop-down arrow to the right of the ab highlighter icon in the “Font” section. Click the black box in the drop-down menu. Select a line of filler text. Click the black line below the highlighter icon, then repeat with other pieces of filler text.
This is the quickest and easiest method of protecting your private information. The file will remove any identifiable information that’s associated with it. For instance, when you navigate to File > Info after you’ve removed metadata, you’ll no longer see your name listed next to “Author” or “Last Modified By. "
You can uncheck every other box in this window if you like.
Doing this removes your personal information from the Word document if you created it or co-authored it.
This is the quickest and easiest method of protecting your private information. The file will remove any identifiable information that’s associated with it. For instance, when you navigate to File > Info after you’ve removed metadata, you’ll no longer see your name listed next to “Author” or “Last Modified By. "
Windows — Click File, click Save As, double-click This PC, click the “Save as type” drop-down box, click the PDF option in the drop-down menu, and click Save. Mac — Click File, click Save As. . . , click the “File Format” text box, click PDF in the drop-down menu, and click Save.
On a Mac, you may click Choose here instead.
Windows — Double-click the ZIP folder, click Extract at the top of the window, click Extract all in the toolbar, and click Extract at the bottom of the window. The extracted folder will open when done. Mac — Double-click the ZIP folder, then wait for the extracted folder to open.
For example, a file with your PDF’s name and “1” as its name refers to page one of the Word document.
