How to remove text from a PDF

Sometimes, a PDF contains text that needs to be removed. It could be outdated information, a typo that slipped through, or sensitive data that shouldn't be shared. But PDFs weren't designed for easy editing, which is why removing text can feel like a puzzle.

The good news is you don't need expensive software or technical skills to remove text from a PDF. This guide covers two reliable methods that actually work, from quick online solutions to more thorough approaches for complex documents.

Method 1: Use Lumin's free PDF editor to remove text

The fastest way to remove text from a PDF is to use Lumin's online editor. It works directly in your browser with no downloads and no complicated setup required.

Here's how to remove text from your PDF:

1. Open Lumin's free PDF text editor and upload your document.
2. Click on the text you want to remove, and a selection box will appear around it.
3. Press the “Delete" icon to remove the entire block, or use the “Delete" key if you only want to remove specific text. Then select “Done.”
4. Finally, download the edited PDF.

This method works perfectly for removing individual words, sentences, or entire paragraphs. You can also use Lumin to edit the remaining text, add new content, or reorganize pages as needed.

Method 2: Redact sensitive text permanently

When you need to permanently remove sensitive information like social security numbers, addresses, or confidential data, simple deletion isn't enough. You need redaction, which permanently blacks out text and removes the underlying data.

Here's how to redact text properly:

1. Open Lumin's Redact tool and upload your document.
2. Click “Security” and then click “Redaction.”
3. Select the text you want to redact by clicking and dragging.
4. Click “Apply Redaction” to permanently remove the text.
5. Save your redacted PDF.

Unlike simple deletion, redaction can't be undone. The text is completely removed from the file, making it impossible for anyone to recover the information.

When you might not be able to easily remove text

It’s not quite so easy to remove text from a PDF. Here are some situation that might required an extra step.

Scanned PDFs

If you can’t select text in your PDF, it’s likely a scanned document where the text is part of an image. Use OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to convert the image into editable text first, then remove what you need.

Protected PDFs

Some PDFs have editing restrictions that prevent text removal. If you encounter a protected PDF, you may need to unlock it before making changes.

Tips for clean text removal

• Preview before saving: Review your document after removing text to ensure the spacing and formatting remain professional. Sometimes, deleting text can leave awkward gaps.
• Keep a backup: Save a copy of your original PDF before making any changes so you can always revert if needed.
• Consider replacement text: Instead of leaving blank space after removal, decide if replacement text is needed to maintain document flow.
• Check all pages: If you’re removing recurring text like headers or footers, review every page of your document.

Frequently asked questions

Can I remove text from a PDF for free?

Yes, you can remove text from PDFs completely free using Lumin's online editor. There's no watermark, no sign-up required for basic editing, and no limits on how much text you can remove.

How do I remove highlighted text from a PDF?

To remove highlighted text, first click on the highlighted text in your PDF editor. You can then either remove just the highlighting (keeping the text) or delete both the highlight and the text together. In Lumin, select the highlighted text and press Delete to remove everything.

Can I remove text from a scanned PDF?

Scanned PDFs require an extra step. First, use an OCR tool to convert the scanned image into editable text. Once the OCR process is complete, you can select and remove text just like in any other PDF.

Is it safe to remove text from PDFs online?

Yes, when using reputable tools like Lumin. Your documents are encrypted during upload and processing, and files are automatically deleted from servers after a short period. For extra sensitive documents, you can always use the desktop version of PDF editing software.

How do I remove text from a PDF on my phone?

Mobile PDF editing works best with dedicated apps. Download the Lumin mobile app for iOS or Android for the smoothest experience. The process is the same: select the text and delete it.

Start removing text from your PDFs

Don’t let unwanted text clutter your documents or affect their professionalism. With Lumin’s free PDF editor, you can quickly remove text, delete entire text boxes, or replace sections with updated content without downloading extra software. 

Everything runs directly in your browser, so you can edit, preview, and save your PDFs in just a few clicks. Keep your documents clean, accurate, and easily shareable.

Remove text from your PDF now