FAQ
Short answers. The walkthrough with the limits spelled out is on how it works, and the guides go further on payslips, statements, and scans.
Does HidePDF delete the text or only cover it?
The download is a new PDF of page images, with a dark block on each field you left checked. Nothing under the block can be copied. A rectangle drawn in Preview leaves the original words in the file.
Are uploaded PDFs stored?
The PDF stays in memory for that request and is not saved to a library or database. OCR may write a temporary image and deletes it when that step finishes. Logs record the request, not the file.
Will salary, invoice totals, or balances be hidden?
Not unless you ask. Amounts are listed and left unchecked until you tick them or turn on Hide amounts. The API hides them only if you send hide_amounts or include amount in types.
Does this work on a scanned PDF?
Pages with under about 40 characters of real text are rendered and read with Tesseract before the list is built. If OCR misses a value, it stays visible, so check the preview.
What if a sensitive value is missed?
Patterns miss names in ordinary sentences, handwriting, and odd number formats. Look at the preview. The server refuses the download only when a value it did hide is still extractable as text.
Can I use the download for a court or a regulated filing?
Treat it as a privacy tool and check the output yourself. It is not a certified redaction product. Follow any rule a court or regulator already gave you, and do not destroy records you must keep.
Do I need an account?
No. The playground does not ask you to sign in. API calls need a key, which you can request from the contact page.