Microsoft has released a useful add-on for Word called Redaction.

This is an editing tool to black out confidential information. I’m writing this in Kanotix, so I haven’t tried it yet, but I can perceive its merit.

It will be particularly handy for organisations answering Freedom of Information requests. As the blurb says:

Sensitive government documents, confidential legal documents, insurance contracts, and other sensitive documents are often redacted before being made available to the public.

I can’t see it will be much use to personal users. If you don’t want someone to see something you would just save another copy without that information, I think.