Using the redaction tool, Project Admins and Reviewers with Manage Permissions can make redactions on documents from within the application, without the need to download, redact and re-upload documents. If you're interested in using the redaction component but it is not currently enabled on your project, please contact your Datasite sales representative to discuss activating the feature.

Note that redaction offerings range from a basic package allowing you to search for and redact terms individually, to automated options that scan for redactable terms upon file upload, and can even identify redactable items based on information type (address, phone number, etc.) Check out the Bulk mark with key terms and Bulk mark with AI features to add speed and efficiency to your process. 

This article details basic redaction functionality.



The redaction tool features in-app help content, robust search capability, and a user-friendly interface.

To use the redaction tool:

  1   Within the Documents tab, locate the documents that need redaction.

  2   Select the associated checkbox; up to 10 files at a time may be selected.

  3   Click Modify > Redact from the top row options; your first document choice opens in the redaction tool window.

  4   Redact the document(s); instructional help content can be found by clicking the Help (?) in the right sidebar of the redaction document viewer.

 
Then, select from available tabs for instructional content.
 

• Bookmark/outline fields within files are not redacted. If your file contains bookmarks, they are removed from view upon confirming redaction
• When redacting multiple files, files are removed from the viewer drop-down list if redactions are confirmed; confirmed files enter your main document grid in the Redaction tab with a 'Redaction Confirmed' status
• If redacting multiple files, files remain on the viewer drop-down list until the viewer is closed, if redactions are not confirmed. These files enter your main document grid in the Redaction tab in a 'Draft' status
• If no action (marking) at all is taken on a file in the document viewer, the file does not enter the Redaction document grid when the viewer is closed 
• File types that can be redacted using the Mark Text option include PDFs and MS Office file types, except native Excel files. Convert Excel files to PDF prior to uploading if you wish to redact using the Text option
• Image file types can be redacted using the Mark Area option

For full details including a demonstration and pricing, contact your Datasite sales representative.
 

Redaction Tab

If redaction is enabled on a project, the Redaction tab is available to Project Admins. The main page consists of a grid displaying files engaged in the redaction process.



Action buttons at the top of the grid are used to interact with documents in the grid. When selecting one or multiple items in the grid via checkbox, buttons are activated or grayed out, depending on whether those actions are available for the chosen file(s).

Options include:

• Edit Marks - Mark or unmark key terms in files selected from the Redaction grid
• Redact/Unredact Marked Terms - Confirming redaction updates the file in your document index
• Discard Draft - Remove items in draft status from the Redaction grid

Columns in the redaction tab include:

• Status
  • Draft - File is in the process of being redacted, but not complete
  • Redaction Confirmed - Redaction is complete and the redacted file has replaced the original
  • Redacted + New Edits - Additional edits have been made to a previously confirmed redacted file
• Fileroom - Name of the fileroom housing the document
• Index - Index number location of the file
• File Name
• Categories - Displays up to four categories for redactions within the file (this feature is available depending on project configuration and might not appear in your project)
• Text Marks - Number of text redactions existing in the file
• Area Marks - Number of area redactions existing in the file
• Last Update - Date of the most recent edits
• Updated By - Admin who performed the most recent edits
• Language - Search language used to identify redactable terms

Columns can be filtered to locate specific items.
 

Project Admins can also view, print, or download the original source file (without redaction) or the redacted file.