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Write-back of redacted PDFs

When and how redacted files return to the source DMS.

How it works

Connect

Admin credentials

Browse

Folder or case scope

Import

Into a Northdocs case

Apply

Then verify

Write-back

Optional, off by default

Write-back fires only after apply and verification pass. The artifact is always a PDF.

Write-back is off by default on every connector. Enable it on the Connect page only when you intend redacted outputs to return to the DMS/VDR.

When it fires: after a document reaches completed (apply finished and verification passed), Northdocs either uploads {originalBase}_redacted.pdf to the configured write-back folder or creates a native version on the imported source document.

Naming is always PDF even if the source was DOCX/XLSX. The redacted artifact is the PDF output of the pipeline.

Native version mode is safe only when the imported source item is already a PDF. Northdocs refuses to put PDF bytes into an Office or other non-PDF source item and directs you to create a new file instead.

Every upload is read back from the provider. Northdocs compares the local and remote SHA-256 hashes and marks the write-back failed if they differ. Status, remote version metadata, and both hashes are retained in the document audit metadata.

Sandbox checklist before production: (1) connect to a non-client folder, (2) select create-new or native-version certification mode, (3) run Write-back certification on the connector card, (4) confirm SHA-256 verified, (5) download the JSON evidence and have an organization admin sign off. The certification mode applies only to that run and does not change production settings.

Recorded certification workflows are available for iManage, HighQ, Microsoft Graph, and Danish ESDH connectors. Each run preserves provider, mode, remote id, hashes, timestamps, outcome, and customer sign-off.

To disable: turn write-back off on the connector. In-flight jobs may still finish; new completions will not upload.

Never point write-back at a production client site until naming, folder scope, and retention on the DMS side are agreed.

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