Redacting documents in Word 2019 might sound complicated, but it’s actually a breeze once you know the steps. By using the built-in tools, you can easily hide sensitive information before sharing your documents. Ready to learn how? Let’s dive in!
Step by Step Tutorial on How to Start Redacting Documents in Word 2019
Before we jump into the steps, let’s get a grasp on what we’re aiming to achieve. Redacting a document is the process of obscuring or removing sensitive information. Word 2019 provides tools that make this task simple and secure. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Open the Word Document
Open the Word document you want to redact.
Now that you’ve got your document open, make sure you’re familiar with the content that needs redaction.
Step 2: Highlight the Text to Redact
Use your mouse or keyboard to highlight the text you wish to redact.
Remember, anything you highlight will be obscured, so double-check that you’ve selected the right text.
Step 3: Access the “Font” Menu
Right-click on the highlighted text and select “Font” from the context menu.
You’re about to change the way the selected text looks to obscure it.
Step 4: Change the Text Color
In the Font menu, change the text color to match the background color, usually white.
This effectively “erases” the text from view, making it look like a blank space.
Step 5: Save and Close the Document
Save the document and close it to finalize the changes.
Now that you’ve saved the document, your redacted text will no longer be visible to others.
After completing these steps, the text you chose to redact will be hidden, making your document safe for sharing. Always remember to double-check your work to ensure no sensitive information is accidentally left visible.
Tips for Redacting Documents in Word 2019
- Always make a copy of the original document before redacting, just in case.
- Use a solid black highlight to obscure text if white doesn’t work with your document’s background.
- Consider using “Find and Replace” if you need to redact multiple instances of the same word or phrase.
- Use the “Inspect Document” feature in Word to look for hidden metadata or personal information.
- Don’t forget to save the redacted document with a different file name to avoid overwriting the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I undo redaction in Word 2019?
Once text has been redacted and saved, you cannot undo the redaction by simply using the ‘undo’ feature.
Is redaction in Word 2019 secure?
Redacting text by changing its color is secure for visual purposes but remember that the text is still present in the document’s code. For highly sensitive documents, consider using professional redaction software.
Can I redact images in Word 2019?
Yes, you can use the “Shapes” tool to place solid color shapes over sensitive parts of an image.
How do I redact a large section of text?
You can click and drag to highlight large sections, or hold “Shift” and use the arrow keys for greater precision.
Can I redact a document if I don’t have Word 2019?
If you don’t have Word 2019, you can use Word Online, or other text editing software, but the process may differ slightly.
Summary
- Open the Word document.
- Highlight the text to redact.
- Access the “Font” menu.
- Change the text color to match the background.
- Save and close the document.
Conclusion
Redacting documents is a critical skill in today’s world where information privacy is paramount. Whether it’s a legal document, a business contract, or a personal letter, knowing how to start redacting documents in Word 2019 ensures that sensitive information is kept confidential. Following the simple steps outlined in this article will help you achieve this important task efficiently.
Remember, while Word 2019 does provide basic redaction capabilities, for highly sensitive documents, consider using specialized software designed for legal and professional redaction. This will offer more robust options and security features to protect the information.
In the end, redaction is about peace of mind. It’s knowing that when you share a document, you’re only sharing what you intend to. So, take the time to learn, practice, and become proficient in redacting documents. Your clients, colleagues, and friends will thank you for it. Happy redacting!
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.