How to Add Purpose or Overlay Text to a PDF Redaction in Adobe Acrobat
Question details
The user needs to add a label, purpose, or overlay text to a redacted area in a PDF file.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Applying privacy or freedom-of-information (FOIA) exemption codes to redacted PDF content.
- Observed behavior
- The user wants to display custom text or predefined redaction codes directly over the blacked-out sections of a PDF document.
Ensure you have Adobe Acrobat Pro installed, as the redaction tool is not available in the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. It is highly recommended to save a backup copy of your original PDF before applying any permanent redactions.
Add Overlay Text via Redact Tool Properties
Configure your overlay text settings before applying redaction marks to ensure all subsequent redactions automatically display the chosen text or code.
By setting the properties before marking your document, you can streamline the process of applying uniform exemption codes across multiple pages.
Open your PDF in Adobe Acrobat, navigate to the 'Tools' menu, and select 'Redact'.
Click on 'Properties' in the secondary Redact toolbar to open the Redaction Tool Properties dialog box.
Check the box next to 'Use Overlay Text' located under the Appearance tab.
Select 'Custom Text' to manually type your own label, or select 'Redaction Code' to choose from built-in FOIA or U.S. Privacy Act codes from the dropdown menu.
Click 'OK' to save the settings, then highlight the text or draw a rectangle over the area you wish to redact. The chosen text will appear over the redaction marks.
Edit Overlay Text on an Existing Redaction Mark
Use this method if you need to add or change the overlay text on a specific redaction annotation that has already been marked but not yet permanently applied.
Protect and Edit Your PDFs with WPS Office
WPS Office provides a comprehensive suite of PDF tools, allowing you to edit, secure, and annotate your documents with ease. Whether you need to obscure sensitive information with labeled shapes or add custom text overlays, WPS PDF offers an intuitive and lightweight solution.
- 1. Open your PDF: Launch WPS Office and open your PDF document using the built-in WPS PDF editor.
- 2. Add blackout shapes: Go to the 'Insert' or 'Comment' tab to draw solid shapes (like black rectangles) over sensitive text.
- 3. Insert overlay text: Insert a Text Box directly over the shape and type your redaction purpose or exemption code.
- 4. Secure the document: Navigate to the 'Protect' tab to encrypt the document, or print the document to 'WPS PDF' to flatten the file, making your manual overlays permanent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add custom redaction codes in Adobe Acrobat?
Yes, you can add custom redaction codes. In the Redaction Tool Properties, select 'Redaction Code', click 'Edit Codes' at the bottom of the window, and use the interface to add new code sets or individual entries tailored to your organization.
Why is my overlay text not showing up on the redaction?
Overlay text will only appear if the 'Use Overlay Text' option is checked in the Redaction Properties. Additionally, ensure that the font color selected contrasts with the redaction fill color (for example, choose white text if your redaction fill is black).
Can I change the font size and color of the redaction overlay text?
Yes. When you open the Redaction Tool Properties or right-click a redaction mark to view its specific properties, you can customize the font, size, color, and alignment of the overlay text under the Appearance tab.
Is redaction permanent in Adobe Acrobat?
Redaction becomes permanent only after you click 'Apply' in the Redact toolbar and save the document. Once applied and saved, the underlying text or images are permanently removed and cannot be recovered.
