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This may be an issue if you have other parts of your document using the same shading and color percentage. Your redacted text displays in 25% gray shading.

To redact text, you simply highlight the words and click the Mark button.

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The download installs a small floating toolbar to Microsoft Word.

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However, I have seen reports that the compiled code in the CodePlex archive work on Word 2016. ✪ The screenshots here are from my original article, which used Microsoft Word 2003. ⚠ Please note this program was archived July 2021. The other big “gotcha” is it no longer has an installer file, so you will have to compile your own build. Instead, it sits in their CodePlex archive. However, since it’s no longer an official program, Microsoft does not support it.

This means others can improve the code and contribute. However, they retired the program and made it open source. This makes it easy to send documents to others without the fear and anxiety that something confidential remains.įor those of you who remembered my original article, the tool was created and supported by Microsoft.

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The redacted text stays hidden even if you convert it to a PDF file. The redaction program allows you to create a redacted document that you can send to others.

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Pin SnagIt PDF opened in Word Microsoft Word AddOns & 3rd Party ServicesĪ more practical solution for most of us is an open-sourced free add-in that works with Microsoft Word. However, my blurred text came in as an image object. I could then edit the text, but there were some character recognition issues. Instead, I had to open the PDF version in Microsoft Word.

With the SnagIt version, I couldn’t do this. For example, in the PDF I referenced in Step 1, you can grab all the text in your browser. Using SnagIt, I applied a blur effect to the portions I wanted to redact. You also need to convert your Word document to a PDF file.Īnother option is to save your Word document as a PDF file and then bring it into an image program like SnagIt. The company offers several flavors of the tool, but it may be too expensive for you if you have an occasional need since the starting price is about $250. One solution is to use a 3 rd party utility from Appligent that properly handles redaction. There are several ways to solve this issue, as the legal and intelligence communities know. Better Solutions to Sanitize PDF Documents Don’t worry I created fictitious data so that you could see the problem. You should be able to see the contents that were behind the black highlighted text.

Open an editor such as Notepad or VS Code.

Use the Select tool in Adobe Reader or your browser and select all the text.

You can either download the file or open it in your browser.

For you skeptics, I’ve attached a sample PDF file so you can try this experiment on your own. Many authors didn’t realize that if you can select text in Adobe Reader and copy and paste it back to an editor, you can see the contents underneath the black highlighted text. On the surface, this looked like an elegant solution since people couldn’t edit the text. When the recipient opened the file, they would see the black highlighted text, and it would print the same. Next people started to convert the same Microsoft Word document to Acrobat PDF. So while this is a simple method, it’s not secure and should be avoided. However, this process doesn’t work well if you email or upload the file to someone else since they can easily undo the highlighting. This works fine if you’re printing the document or faxing it to someone else. Common Word Redaction Methods and IssuesĪ popular way that people redact information is to use Microsoft’s Word highlight tool and cover up the confidential text with black. Some people also refer to this process as sanitizing.

#Retrieve original redacted email how to#

With the advent of privacy rules and the rise of file sharing, the rest of us should know how to do proper redactions. This is different than removing hidden Metadata as the reader will see information is covered up. It’s the practice of removing confidential or sensitive data before giving the document to others. The term redaction may not be a household term but is often used in the legal community. Within the center, there is an eDiscovery feature that allows for redactions. Specifically, you have access to Microsoft 365 compliance center. However, if you’re an enterprise user of Microsoft 365, then you have more resources.

Microsoft Word AddOns & 3rd Party Servicesįor starters, this tutorial is geared toward individuals.

Better Solutions to Sanitize PDF Documents.

Common Word Redaction Methods and Issues.