How to white out text in a PDF
Quick answer: To white out text in a PDF, open the file in a PDF editor, choose White-out and drag a box over the words you want to hide. The area turns white, and you can type a correction on top with Add text. Download the PDF when done. White-out only covers text visually; use Redact to remove private information.
Sign in with Google or email and start editing. Saving your file starts a free trial: 7 days on yearly ($29.78/yr) or 2 days on monthly ($2.99/mo). Cancel anytime. 🔒 Your file stays on your device.
White-out is the digital version of correction fluid. It is handy for covering a typo on a scanned form, hiding an old date before writing a new one, clearing a stray mark, or blanking out a section of a template so you can reuse it.
Below are the steps, the difference between whiting out and redacting (this matters for anything private), and tips for corrections that do not look patched.
White out text in a PDF with Quick PDF
- Open your PDF in the editor Sign in at quickpdfapp.com, choose Edit PDF and select the file from your device.
- Select White-out Tap White-out in the editor toolbar.
- Drag over what you want to cover Drag a box across the words, numbers or marks. Zoom in first so you cover exactly what you need without touching nearby lines.
- Type the replacement if you need one Choose Add text, tap on the white area and type the correction. Match the font with Sans, Serif or Mono and set the size.
- Check and adjust Move or resize the white box if an edge of a letter still shows. Use undo if you covered too much.
- Download the corrected PDF Tap Download or Share to save the new copy.
White-out vs. redact: which one do you need?
Both make text disappear from view, but they are not the same:
| White-out | Redact | |
|---|---|---|
| What you see | A white area, blends with the page | A solid box over the hidden area |
| Is the old text still in the file? | Yes, underneath | No, the page is rebuilt without it |
| Can you type over it? | Yes | Not the intended use |
| Best for | Typos, corrections, reusing templates | Account numbers, SSNs, addresses, anything private |
If someone could copy and paste the hidden words and cause a problem, use Redact. The guide on blacking out text explains it in detail.
Good reasons to white out a PDF
- Fix a mistake on a scanned form before typing the right answer over it.
- Reuse a template: blank out last month's dates, amounts or a client name on an invoice or flyer.
- Remove stray marks: pen marks, punch holes or smudges that came through a scan.
- Tidy a printout: hide a header, footer or note before printing.
- Change a line on a scan where Edit text cannot select the words.
On PDFs with real text, Edit text is often quicker for single-line changes: it covers the old words and lets you retype in one step (see how to edit a PDF).
Making a white-out invisible
White-out works best on white pages. A few tips:
- Off-white or grey backgrounds, common on scans, can make a pure white patch stand out. Keep the box tight to the text, or white out the whole field area so the edges line up with the form lines.
- Do not cover the form's own lines. Stop the box just above a printed line so the line stays visible under your new text.
- Coloured backgrounds are not a good fit for white-out. Consider a small shape or simply note the change.
- Match the replacement text. Same size and font family as the surrounding words is what makes a correction look original.
If you plan to print the corrected document, print one test page first. Some printers show faint edges around white patches on grey scans that you cannot see on screen.
Other ways to white out a PDF
Without a dedicated tool, people draw a white filled rectangle in Mac Preview (Shapes, then set the fill to white) or use a white highlighter in some viewers. It works but takes more steps, and on iPhone Markup it is fiddly to get a solid white fill with a clean edge.
Quick PDF has White-out as its own button, plus Add text to type over it, so the whole correction is two taps on any device.
Troubleshooting
- The covered text reappears when copying. That is expected with white-out: the text is still underneath. Use Redact for anything that must be gone.
- A thin edge of a letter is still visible. Drag the white box slightly larger or zoom in and redraw it.
- The new text sits too high or low. Drag the text box; it can be moved freely before downloading.
- Search still finds the old word. Same cause as copying; redact instead.
Questions people ask
Can you white out text in a PDF?
Yes. In a PDF editor, the White-out tool lets you drag a white box over any text, image or mark so it disappears from view. You can then type new text on top with Add text and download the corrected file.
Is white-out on a PDF permanent?
It is permanent visually in the saved file, but the original text can still be inside the PDF underneath the white box, so it may be copied or found by search. For information that must be removed for good, use Redact, which rebuilds the page without it.
How do I white out and type over a PDF?
Cover the old words with White-out, then choose Add text, tap on the white area and type the new words. Pick a font and size close to the original so the correction blends in.
Can I white out a scanned PDF?
Yes. White-out works on any page, including scans and photos, because it places a white area on top of the page. It is the main way to correct text on scans, since their words cannot be selected and retyped.
How do I remove a white-out mistake?
Before downloading, tap undo or select the white box and delete it. After downloading, the white-out is part of the new file, so go back to your original PDF and start again, which is why keeping the original is a good idea.
Can I white out text on my phone?
Yes. Open quickpdfapp.com in Safari or Chrome, open the file and drag with your finger to white out. Pinch to zoom in first so the box covers only what you want.
What is the difference between white-out and Edit text?
Edit text selects a line of real text and lets you retype it; behind the scenes it covers the old words and writes new ones. White-out covers any area you drag over, including scans, images and marks, and you add the new text yourself. Use Edit text on digital text and White-out on everything else.
Do I have to pay to use Quick PDF?
You can open a PDF and edit, sign or fill it after signing in with Google or email. To download, print or share the finished file you start a subscription with a free trial: 7 days on the yearly plan ($29.78 per year) or 2 days on the monthly plan ($2.99 per month). You are charged when the trial ends unless you cancel, and you can cancel anytime.
Sign in with Google or email and start editing. Saving your file starts a free trial: 7 days on yearly ($29.78/yr) or 2 days on monthly ($2.99/mo). Cancel anytime. 🔒 Your file stays on your device.