PDF Redaction - Workflow Guide

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This article covers the workflow in two ways: a short video walkthrough and a written step-by-step guide.

This workflow guides users through applying redactions to documents in Reveal’s native PDF viewer, including drawing, editing, and managing redactions. It helps ensure sensitive information is redacted before production.

What You'll Need

Before you begin, make sure you have:

  • Permission to apply redactions within Reveal (typically a Reviewer, Project Admin, or equivalent role with redaction capabilities).

  • Access to documents in a searchable PDF format, so redactions can be applied accurately and tools like term-based redaction can be used effectively.

  • Configured redaction profiles and labels, as these define how redactions are categorized and applied during the review process.

Video Walkthrough

Step-by-Step Breakdown

Step

Description of Step

Link to Useful Articles

  1. Open the Document

Open a document from the results list and access it in Reveal’s native PDF viewer. This environment allows reviewers to apply and manage redactions directly within the document. Before beginning, enable the redaction tool to access available redaction options.

Applying Redactions

Generate Native PDF and Spreadsheet Viewer
Document Viewer
Redaction

  1. Draw and Edit Redactions

Apply redactions by selecting a label and drawing redaction boxes over the content to be concealed. Once applied, redactions can be edited to update labels or provide additional context for why the redaction was made. This ensures consistency and clarity during the review process.

Applying Redactions

Generate Native PDF and Spreadsheet Viewer
Document Viewer

Redaction

  1. Duplicate or Invert Redactions

Reuse redactions across multiple pages by duplicating them, or apply inverse redaction to redact everything except a selected area. These tools are especially useful for structured documents where sensitive information appears in consistent locations. This helps streamline repetitive redaction tasks.

Applying Redactions

Generate Native PDF and Spreadsheet Viewer
Document Viewer

Redaction

  1. Redact Search Terms

Use the Document Explorer to locate specific terms within the document and apply redactions to those instances. Redactions can be applied across all occurrences, limited to specific pages, or customized based on the review needs. This approach improves efficiency when handling repeated sensitive data.

Applying Redactions

Generate Native PDF and Spreadsheet Viewer
Document Viewer

Redaction

  1. Review and Save Redactions

Preview redactions to confirm how they will appear in the final produced document. This ensures accuracy and allows reviewers to verify that the correct information is being redacted. Once validated, save the document or proceed to the next item in the review workflow.

Applying Redactions

Generate Native PDF and Spreadsheet Viewer
Document Viewer

Redaction

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