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How to obtain the document in its initial format?

Original document retrieval ensures users can always access the unredacted source document after anonymization, with multi-format export options (PDF, DOCX) for different use cases while maintaining secure separation of original and anonymized versions.

Written by Magali @Nora
Updated over 5 months ago

Step-by-step instructions

Download Original Document:

  1. Navigate to Anonymisation module

  2. Locate the Anonymized document in your list

  3. Click on the document to open details view

  4. Click on "Export" at the top of your screen.

  5. Look for "Download Original" button (usually near "Download Anonymized")

  6. Click "Download Original"

  7. Select export format:

    • PDF: Preserves exact formatting, ideal for archiving or printing

    • DOCX: Editable format, useful for further modifications

  8. File downloads to your computer's Downloads folder

  9. Original document with all sensitive information intact

Access Original in Library:

  1. Original documents are also accessible via Library module

  2. Navigate to Library

  3. Search for document by name

  4. Original stored in Library at time of upload (before anonymization)

  5. Download or preview from Library

Practical example

Notary Philippe Janssens anonymized an estate settlement deed three weeks ago for sharing with a law school. Today, he needs the original document because the client's lawyer requested a certified copy with all original information. He opens the Anonymisation module, finds the document "Estate Settlement - Dumont Family - ANONYMIZED", clicks it to open details, and clicks "Download Original" button. He selects PDF format to preserve exact deed formatting, downloads in 3 seconds, and prints the original document for notarial certification. The original was safely preserved in the system the entire time, completely separate from the anonymized teaching version shared externally.

Notes and limitations

  • Always preserved: Original documents are never deleted during anonymization process

  • Multi-format export: PDF (preserves formatting) or DOCX (editable)

  • No modification: Cannot edit original from Anonymisation module (use Library for management)

  • Access control: Original documents respect workspace sharing permissions

  • No version history: If you re-anonymize with different settings, only one original exists (not multiple original versions)

  • Download only: Cannot email original directly from interface (must download then attach)

  • File size: Large originals (50MB) may take longer to download depending on connection

FAQ

Q: Is the original document deleted after I anonymize it?

A: No, the original document is never deleted during anonymization. It is preserved in a separate storage bucket while the anonymized version is stored in the Anonymisation bucket. You can always download the original at any time, even years after anonymization, unless you explicitly delete it manually from Library.

Q: Can I export the original in an editable format or only PDF?

A: You can export in both PDF (preserves exact formatting, ideal for archiving) and DOCX (Microsoft Word editable format, useful for making modifications). Select your preferred format during download. For scanned PDFs or images, only PDF export may be available since those formats don't have editable structure.

Q: Can I re-export the original if I need a different format later?

A: Yes, you can re-download the original document as many times as needed in either PDF or DOCX format. The original is permanently stored until you explicitly delete it. Each export is a fresh download from the stored original, so you can switch between formats depending on your current need (PDF for archiving, DOCX for editing).

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