Frequently asked questions

Lintern scans pasted text or files you choose—plain text, PDFs with extractable text, Word (.docx), and Excel (.xlsx). It checks that content against policy packs (rules) to surface sensitive data and other policy risks, such as PII, PHI-style identifiers, secrets, file paths, and more. Scanning runs locally in your browser; your document body is not sent to Lintern for analysis.

No. The scan runs in your browser (including in a Web Worker). Your file or pasted text is not sent to a Lintern API for analysis. The app may download policy bundle metadata (rules) from the server so the worker can lint locally.

.txt, .pdf (embedded text), .docx, and .xlsx. For Excel, cell values are extracted in your browser and combined across sheets. Other types are ignored.

Yes, when you enable the relevant policy packs. Lintern uses deterministic rules (and, on supported plans, local semantic signals) to flag patterns and matches—results are heuristic checks, not legal or clinical determinations. Always review findings in context.

The workspace includes remediation flows for some sources: for example, redaction-style replacements on text and certain file types, and visual masking for PDFs where supported. Availability depends on input type and plan; export or download the result when you are satisfied with the review.

Results stay in this browser session until you change something that starts a new run or clear them indirectly—see the next question. They are not saved to your Lintern account unless you export (PDF or CSV) and keep the file yourself.

The dashboard clears the current results when you change anything that would make the old table misleading: policies (checkboxes, select/clear all), scan profile (loading a different profile), input (new file, editing pasted text), or switching between Text and File mode. Export PDF or CSV first if you need to keep a run.

A scan profile is a saved name plus which policies were selected. Profiles are stored on Lintern’s servers with your account (so you can reload them on the dashboard). They do not contain your document text—only your policy checklist (and optional description, etc., as shown when you save).

After a scan finishes, use PDF or CSV in the Scan results header. A reminder appears when results are ready: export before the next scan or before changing input, policies, or profile—otherwise those results are replaced.

No. Lintern runs heuristic checks against a policy catalog. Findings are not legal advice or proof of compliance; always review in context (see disclaimers in the app and exports).

This FAQ is question → short answer. The Help page walks through each part of the dashboard in order. Some topics appear in both on purpose.