# How to Redact a Word Document

> To redact a Word document permanently, replace sensitive text with [REDACTED] using Find and Replace, run Document Inspector, and save as a new file.

- **Author:** Neetusha
- **Published:** 2026-04-26
- **URL:** https://www.redactifyai.com/answers/how-to-redact-word-document/

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To redact a Word document permanently, replace each piece of sensitive text with `[REDACTED]` using Find and Replace, run Document Inspector to remove hidden metadata, and save as a new file. Word does not have a dedicated Redact tool, so do not rely on highlighting text in black or using a colored shape, the original text stays in the file and is recoverable.

## Why black highlighting in Word is not real redaction

Highlighting text black is the most common mistake. The text stays in the document; a reader can select it, copy it, change the highlight color back to none, or open the .docx as a ZIP archive and read the underlying XML. The same applies to using a black shape from Insert > Shapes. Word offers no native redaction tool that matches what Adobe Acrobat Pro does for PDFs, so the workflow has to be different.

## The right Word redaction workflow

1. Open the document and press Ctrl+H (Cmd+H on Mac) for Find and Replace.
2. For each piece of sensitive text, type it in "Find what" and `[REDACTED]` in "Replace with". Click Replace All.
3. Repeat for every piece of sensitive content. This is tedious but it actually deletes the text.
4. File > Info > Check for Issues > Inspect Document. Select all checkboxes. Click Inspect, then Remove All for every category that finds results (comments, tracked changes, document properties, hidden text).
5. Save As a new file with a clear name like `contract_redacted.docx`. Never overwrite the original.

## When to convert to PDF instead

For documents going to court or external counsel, convert to PDF after redaction and re-redact in a tool that handles PDF content streams. Word's `[REDACTED]` placeholder approach is acceptable for internal review but does not provide the audit trail or visual block that legal filings expect.

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