AI Redaction Tool —
Intelligent PII Detection for PDF, Word & Excel
Upload any document. AI automatically detects names, SSNs, financial data, and 25+ types of sensitive information. Review each detection, then apply visual redactions. Free to start.
New to redaction? Read our guide to redacted meaning and redaction examples.
How AI Redaction Works
Redactly uses a large language model (Claude by Anthropic) to understand the content and context of your documents — not just pattern matching.
1. Upload Any Document
Drag and drop a PDF, Word (.docx), or Excel (.xlsx) file. No account or software required.
2. AI Analyzes Context
The LLM reads every page, cell, and paragraph to identify sensitive data based on meaning — not just format.
3. Review & Download
See every detection highlighted with color-coded labels. Keep or reject each item, then download your redacted file.
AI Redaction vs. Regex Redaction
Traditional tools use pattern matching (regex). AI understands context. The difference matters.
| Feature | AI Redaction (Redactly) | Regex Redaction |
|---|---|---|
| Detects PII by context | Yes — understands meaning | No — only matches patterns |
| Handles varied formatting | Yes | No — breaks on unusual formats |
| Detects names | Yes | Only if in a known list |
| Custom instructions | Yes — "Redact all project codes" | No — needs exact regex |
| Multi-format support | PDF + Word + Excel | Usually PDF only |
| Setup required | None | Configure patterns manually |
| False positive rate | Low (human reviews) | High (lots of noise) |
Why AI Beats Manual Redaction
Manual redaction is slow, error-prone, and doesn't scale. AI changes the game.
Detects contextual PII automatically
AI understands that 'SSN: 123 45 6789' is a Social Security number, even without the standard XXX-XX-XXXX format.
Works across PDF, Word & Excel
One tool handles all three formats natively. No conversion needed. No data lost in translation. See Excel redaction in action.
Seconds, not hours
A 50-page document is scanned in under a minute. Manual redaction of the same document takes hours.
Reduces compliance risk
AI catches PII that humans miss. Fewer missed items means lower risk of GDPR fines (up to 4% of revenue) or HIPAA penalties.
Handles large batches
Process multiple documents at once with batch mode. Pro plan handles up to 10 files per batch.
Audit trail included
Pro plan generates audit logs and redaction certificates for compliance documentation and legal proceedings.
What AI Detects — 25+ PII Types
Across PDF, Word, and Excel files — including hidden sheets and embedded data.
Compliance Automation
Redactly helps you meet GDPR, HIPAA, and CCPA requirements automatically.
EU General Data Protection Regulation
Removes personal data from view to meet data minimization requirements. Audit logs document every redaction action.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
Detects all 18 HIPAA Safe Harbor identifiers. Redaction certificates provide proof of compliance.
California Consumer Privacy Act
Removes personal information as defined by CCPA before sharing documents with third parties.
Enterprise Workflow
Built for teams that process sensitive documents at scale.
Batch Processing
Upload up to 10 documents at once. AI processes each file independently with the same detection quality.
Audit Logs
Every redaction action is logged with timestamp, file name, detection type, and action taken. Exportable for compliance.
Redaction Certificates
Generate a signed PDF certificate documenting what was redacted, when, and by whom. Accepted by courts and regulators.
Privacy & Security
Your files are handled locally where possible. Extracted text may be sent securely to our AI provider for PII detection. Redactly does not intentionally store original documents or use document content for training.
Product Limitations
PDF redaction applies visual overlays to obscure detected sensitive information. Excel (.xlsx) redaction requires a Pro plan ($19/month). Word (.docx) redaction replaces text in the document XML. PDF and Word are free for up to 20 pages per month.
What to review before sharing
- •AI detection may miss some sensitive information or flag non-sensitive content. Always review the redacted document before sharing.
- •PDF redaction applies visual overlays. For highly sensitive documents, the underlying text may still be extractable by advanced tools.
- •Word and Excel redaction replaces detected text values in the document structure. Review all changes before distributing.
AI-Based PII Detection and Redaction Tool
Redactly uses AI to detect names, SSNs, emails, phone numbers, addresses, financial data, and other PII before users review and create a redacted copy. For broader PII removal across PDF, Word, and Excel, see the PII removal tool. For the full definition and examples, see what redacted means.
Automatic AI Redaction Software
Redactly automates the slow part of redaction: finding sensitive information across long documents and spreadsheets. AI detects PII, labels each finding, and gives you a review screen before creating a redacted copy, so the workflow stays fast without removing human control.