Scan PDF for Sensitive Text Patterns
NewFind common patterns such as email addresses and phone numbers in selectable PDF text. Review the matches and add visual covers if useful. The original text remains, so this is not secure redaction.
Visual covers do not remove the underlying text. Do not use this tool to protect confidential information or meet redaction requirements.
Drop a PDF to scan for sensitive data
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Check for common sensitive text patterns
Scan selectable PDF text for patterns such as email addresses or payment-card numbers. The optional black covers are visual only and do not remove underlying text. Do not share a covered PDF as a securely redacted file.
How it works
Choose your file
Drag and drop or select files from your device. Document contents stay in your browser.
Run the tool
Choose any available options, then process or inspect the file.
Review the result
Check the outcome and download a file when the tool creates one.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Browse All ToolsFind Email Addresses and Other Patterns in PDF Text
One23PDF's scanner checks selectable PDF text for common patterns such as email addresses, phone numbers, payment-card numbers, Social Security Numbers, and IP addresses. Pattern matching can miss information and does not cover every type of PDF content.
The cover operation adds black rectangles over detected text. It does not remove the underlying text, which may still be copied or recovered from the PDF. This tool is not secure redaction and must not be used to prepare confidential documents for sharing or to meet legal or regulatory requirements.
Use the scanner only as a visual review aid. All work is performed in the browser tab; the covered output remains a separate file from the original.
What the Scanner Can Help With
Pattern Review
Review selectable text for common email, phone, payment-card, Social Security Number, and IP address patterns. Detection is not comprehensive.
Visual Covers
Add black rectangles over selected text as a visual aid. The underlying text remains in the file and can still be recovered.
Not Secure Redaction
Do not rely on this tool to protect confidential information, prepare documents for public release, or meet compliance requirements.
Browser Processing
The scanner and visual cover operation run in the browser. The output is a separate copy; the original file is not changed.
How to Review Common Text Patterns
- 1
Choose a PDF
Choose a PDF to scan selectable text in the browser. Image-only scans and other content may not be detected.
- 2
Review Matches
Review detected pattern matches. The scanner can produce missed matches and false matches; it is not a complete privacy review.
- 3
Add Visual Covers (Optional)
Download a separate PDF with black rectangles over selected matches. The covered text remains in the file, so do not share it as a securely redacted document.
Appropriate Uses and Limits
- Reviewing selectable text for common patterns during document preparation
- Adding a temporary visual marker to a personal working copy
- Do not use for legal, regulatory, or secure redaction
- Do not share covered files as if the underlying information had been removed
About Secure PDF Redaction
Secure redaction must remove underlying content and verify that it cannot be extracted from the resulting file. One23PDF's current scanner adds visual covers and does not perform that removal. Use a dedicated tool with verified permanent redaction when sensitive information must be removed.