How to black out parts of a PDF

Darkening parts of a PDF can be useful in many situations, such as protecting sensitive information or highlighting only certain parts of the document. There are several tools that allow you to darken parts of a PDF, both online and offline.

In this article, we will see how to use some free tools to darken parts of a PDF easily and quickly.

What you need

• A computer with internet access
• The PDF file to be darkened
• One of the following free tools: Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, Smallpdf, or Sejda PDF

Tools for darkening parts of a PDF

There are several tools available online to darken parts of a PDF. Here are some of the best:

• Adobe Acrobat Pro DC: This software is one of the most used for editing PDF files and offers a function for darkening parts of the document. It is paid, but you can use the free trial version to test it.
• PDF-XChange Editor: This free software allows you to darken specific parts of a PDF with various customization options, such as darkness intensity and type of shape to use to cover text.
• Sejda PDF: This free online tool allows you to darken parts of the document easily and quickly without having to download any software onto your computer.
• Soda PDF: This software offers a wide range of features for editing PDF files, including the option to darken specific parts of the document. It is available in both free and paid versions.

In addition, many other online tools offer this function, so if you are not satisfied with those listed above, you can search for others that meet your needs.

Remember that when working with documents containing sensitive or confidential information, it is important to pay attention to data security. Make sure to use reliable tools and protect your files with passwords or other security methods.

How to darken parts of a PDF using free software

There are several free options for darkening parts of a PDF. Let's see some solutions:

1. Use SmallPDF's online service

• Access the website of SmallPDF
• Drag the PDF file to be darkened into the browser window or select it from your computer
• Click on the "Add shape" button
• Select the shape and size of the area to be darkened
• Click "Apply" to confirm the changes
• Download the darkened PDF file

2. Use the free application of PDFsam Basic

• Download and install the free application of PDFsam Basic
• Open the program and click on "Add" to select the PDF file to be darkened
• Click on the "Edit" tab and then on "Add rectangle"
• Select the area to be obscured and adjust the transparency of the rectangle (if necessary)
• Click on "Save" to save the PDF file with the changes made

3. Use the free application of LibreOffice Draw

• Download and install the free LibreOffice application
• Open the LibreOffice Draw program and click on "File" > "Open"
• Select the PDF file to obscure and click on "Open"
• Click on "Tools" > "Draw shapes"
• Select the shape to use to obscure the desired area (for example, a rectangle)
• Drag the shape onto the area to be obscured and adjust its transparency (if necessary)
• Click on "File" > "Export as PDF" to save the file with the changes made

In general, these are just some of the free methods available to obscure parts of a PDF. Choose the one that best suits your needs and start protecting your documents.

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Conclusions

In conclusion, obscuring parts of a PDF can be a necessity in many situations, such as when you want to protect confidential information or when you want to hide irrelevant parts of the document.

In this article, we have seen several options for obscuring parts of a PDF, such as using Adobe Acrobat Pro software or free programs like GIMP and Inkscape. Each of these options has its own advantages and disadvantages, but you can choose the one that best suits your needs.

Remember that obscuring parts of a PDF may make the document less accessible for some categories of people, such as those with visual problems or dyslexia. Always make sure to provide adequate alternatives to ensure maximum accessibility of your content.

• If you need to obscure only certain texts, you can use the selection and copy tools in PDF editors.
• If instead you need to obscure entire pages or images, we recommend using an external program like GIMP or Inkscape.
• Always remember that obscuring parts of a PDF must be done with care and responsibility, avoiding creating documents that are too cryptic or difficult to read for everyone.

We hope this article has been helpful in understanding how to obscure parts of a PDF!

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