How to Delete Content from a PDF

To delete content in a PDF, use an editor’s erase or redact tools, then save a new copy to lock in the change.

PDFs keep layout steady, which is great for sharing but tricky when you want to remove text, images, or whole sections. This guide shows clear, safe methods on desktop and mobile, with step-by-step notes and pitfalls to avoid. You’ll see when a simple edit works and when you need true redaction so the removed data can’t be recovered.

How to Delete Content from a PDF: Fast Methods

Pick the route that matches your goal. If you just need to remove a typo, an editor’s text tool is enough. If you must erase private data, use a redaction tool so the content is gone from the file, not just hidden under a box. If the PDF is mostly text, you can also convert it to Word, edit, then make a fresh PDF.

Methods At A Glance

Method	Best For	Notes
Acrobat Edit Tool	Fixing typos, removing short text blocks	Directly select text or images, press Delete, reflow as needed.
Acrobat Redact Tool	Erasing sensitive text or pictures	Permanently removes selected content; can find patterns (emails, SSNs).
Preview (Mac) Redact	Simple permanent hide on macOS	Use Tools > Redact; saves a copy with masked areas erased.
Convert To Word	Long text edits across pages	Open PDF in Word, edit, export to PDF; layout may shift.
LibreOffice Draw	Free desktop edits	Open PDF, delete or replace objects; export back to PDF.
Online Editors	Quick one-off fixes	Upload risk for private files; check privacy and size limits.
Crop Tool	Hiding margins or watermarks at edges	Only trims the view; underlying data can remain.
Delete Pages	Removing whole sections	Use Organize Pages; updates page numbers and bookmarks afterward.

Delete Content From A PDF File — Safe Ways

Start simple, then move to stronger tools if the content must be gone for good. Many readers ask how to delete content from a pdf when a client sends a form with a stray number or a screenshot with visible IDs. The right method depends on whether anyone must be able to recover the original text.

Method 1: Edit Or Remove Text Directly

Goal: fix typos, delete a line, remove a small image.

Open the PDF in a desktop editor that supports direct text editing.
Select the text block. Press Delete, or replace the text.
Check line breaks and spacing. Nudge objects if the layout shifts.
Save as a new PDF to preserve the original as a backup.

Editors like Acrobat offer a dedicated “Edit” mode for text and images. If the PDF is a scan, run OCR first so the text becomes selectable. If the text sits inside a vector shape or image, switch to redaction or image editing.

Method 2: Permanently Remove Sensitive Data (Redaction)

Goal: erase confidential text or pictures so they can’t be revealed later.

Open a copy of the PDF in an app with a true redaction tool.
Choose the Redact tool. Draw over text, images, or regions to mark them.
Use pattern search to flag items like emails, phone numbers, and IDs.
Apply redactions. The app removes the data and places a mask (or leaves blank).
Save the file. Some apps also scrub metadata on save.

Redaction differs from drawing a filled rectangle. A shape only covers content; the text can still be copied from the PDF stream. A true redaction tool deletes the underlying objects and can also clear hidden layers and comments. For reference, see Adobe’s guide on redacting sensitive content.

Method 3: Convert To Word, Edit, Then Re-Export

Goal: remove or rewrite big chunks of text across many pages.

Open the PDF in Microsoft Word. Word converts it to an editable file.
Delete the content you don’t want. Rewrite sections as needed.
Export back to PDF. Check headings, tables, and page breaks.

This works best for text-heavy PDFs that were born digital. Scans, complex forms, and multi-column layouts can shift. Microsoft’s article on editing a PDF in Word explains the conversion limits.

Method 4: Use Preview On Mac For Quick Deletions

Goal: fast permanent masking on macOS with no extra app.

Open the file in Preview.
Pick Tools > Redact. Confirm the warning.
Drag over text or an area to mark it. Repeat across pages.
Save a new copy. The masked content is removed on save.

Preview can also delete pages, add annotations, and flatten simple forms. For full text editing you’ll need a dedicated editor; Preview focuses on markup and redaction.

Method 5: Edit With LibreOffice Draw (Free)

Goal: delete or replace objects without a paid tool.

Open LibreOffice Draw, then open the PDF.
Select text boxes, shapes, or images. Press Delete or replace them.
Export as PDF. Review fonts, spacing, and image scaling.

Draw handles many PDFs well and offers a no-cost route for desktop edits. If the layout is intricate or the file uses rare fonts, double-check the output.

Pick The Right Approach For Your File

Ask these quick questions to choose the tool and save time:

Is the PDF a scan? Run OCR before trying to select text.
Do you need the content gone forever? Use redaction, not shapes or crop.
Is the layout complex? Converting to Word may shift elements.
Is the file confidential? Avoid online editors; stick to local apps.

Step-By-Step: Safe Redaction Workflow

Work on a copy. Keep the original untouched.
Search for patterns. Find emails, phone numbers, and IDs with the redaction search tool.
Mark all hits. Review each match and add any missed items by hand.
Apply redactions. The tool removes marked items and places masks if configured.
Sanitize. Remove metadata, hidden layers, and comments.
Test. Try copying text around redacted areas; nothing should reveal the old data.

Advanced Tasks You May Need

Delete Whole Pages

Open an “Organize Pages” view. Select the pages you don’t want and delete them. Renumber any references in the text. Update the table of contents if your PDF includes bookmarks.

Remove Or Replace Images

Switch to the image tool in your editor. Select the picture. Press Delete, or swap it with a new image. If the image contains private data (like a photo of a screen with names), use redaction instead of a simple delete if copies might exist in hidden layers.

Clean Hidden Data

Even after text or images are gone, files may carry layers, comments, or embedded previews. Use the sanitizer in your editor to strip hidden items before you send the file.

Handle Scanned PDFs

Scans start as images. Run OCR so text becomes selectable. If the scan is low-resolution, consider rescanning or cropping and replacing the page with a sharper source. For sensitive scans, use redaction after OCR so the text stream is removed.

Common Mistakes That Leave Data Behind

Drawing a black box. This hides text but doesn’t erase it.
Only cropping the page. Crop trims the view; the content can remain.
Forgetting to save a new file. Always export a fresh PDF after edits.
Skipping metadata cleanup. Comments and layers can leak details.
Editing a signed or locked PDF. Remove security first, or ask the sender for an unlocked version.

Quick Fixes For Common Errors

Problem	What To Do	Where
Text won’t select	Run OCR, then retry the edit or redaction.	Any desktop editor with OCR
Black box still copies	Use a true redaction tool, apply, then save.	Acrobat, Preview on macOS
Layout breaks after delete	Adjust spacing or convert to Word, edit, export.	Word, desktop editors
Images leave ghost layers	Sanitize the file to remove hidden data.	Editor’s sanitize tool
Can’t edit signed PDF	Request an unsigned copy or remove the signature.	Source document owner
Online tool size limits	Switch to a desktop app and edit locally.	Acrobat, LibreOffice Draw
Fonts look wrong	Embed fonts on export or replace with a close match.	Export settings
Links break after edits	Recreate link annotations and test each one.	Editor’s link tool

Practical Walkthroughs By Tool

Adobe Acrobat (Edit Or Redact)

Delete text or images: Open the PDF, choose Edit, click a text block or image, press Delete, then adjust spacing. Save a new copy. For permanent removal, switch to Redact, mark the area, and apply. Adobe’s page on editing text in PDFs spells out the steps and limits with scans.

Microsoft Word Route

Open the PDF in Word and let it convert. Delete or rewrite the content. Export to PDF when done. The link above on “Edit a PDF in Word” sets expectations so you’re not surprised by layout shifts in complex files.

Preview On Mac

Use Tools > Redact to erase text or regions. Save a new copy when finished. Preview can’t rewrite full paragraphs like a layout editor, but it handles quick removals and page deletes well.

LibreOffice Draw

Open the PDF in Draw, select any object, and remove it. Replace images, tweak text boxes, then export to PDF. Review the result page by page to catch any wrap issues.

Security Tips Before You Share

Always work on a copy. Keep the original safe.
Use redaction for private data. Don’t rely on shapes or crop.
Scrub metadata. Clear comments, layers, and hidden objects.
Preview the final file. Try selecting near masked areas and search for removed terms to verify nothing leaks.
Archive a clean master. Keep one sanitized version for future sends.

FAQ-Free Bottom Line

If you came here wondering how to delete content from a pdf, the short route is simple: use a real editor for quick fixes and a redaction tool for anything sensitive. Save a new copy, sanitize, and test before you send. That mix gives you clean results and peace of mind without extra steps.