Search pdf files for text

This article is about searching text in .pdf files. It answers questions: what is PDF file, why should we use this file format and what is the best way to search it for text.

What is PDF file?

A Portable Document Format (pdf) file is a cross-platform document. It is a file that will look the same on the screen and in print, regardless of what kind of computer or printer someone is using.

Portable Document Format (PDF) was created to maintain the fidelity of a document to its original while making it accessible on the World Wide Web.

Why do I need to search in PDF files?

Just because it takes too much time to open each file and search text in it with Adobe Acrobat search function.

Advanced PDF Manager is a PDF search and PDF to text convert utility. Download evaluation version.

Is there a native Window tool to search in PDF files?

Unfortunately no. "Find file" in Windows cannot search text within PDF files.

As you want to have a full access to all knowledgebase you have, then you should use some special search utility with PDF search support (such as FSA - you will read about it below).

What is the simplest solution to search in PDF files.

We created File Search Assistant to make your search fast and effective.

You should run File Search Assistant, put your search criteria and click "Search" button.

Put *.pdf mask in "File Name" field. You will tell FSA to search only for PDF files.

1. Put *.pdf mask in "File Name" field. You will tell FSA to search only for PDF files.

2. Use "Search in" drop list to specify location to search in.

3. Put keywords you want to find in "Keyword" field.

Useful notes:

Use custom search options to create custom search groups - it will make you search faster. Read more in on-line manual.
Using custom search options allows to skip step where you specify search mask and path to search.
You can use regular expressions as a keyword. For example +dog -cat +"my cat"

OK. Now tell me how can your FSA be more effective that other search tools.

Three key features makes FSA extremely useful:

Custom Search Options - you can point FSA to folders where your files are and where exactly you want to search in. Once you have created a search group you can use it for every other search.

Preview Pane - Preview pane show you the small piece of file where keyword (or keywords if you search for som regular expression) was found. Specify your search criteria and click "search" button to learn how it works.

Preview pane show you the small piece of file where keyword (or keywords if you search for som regular expression) was found.

Preview pane shows you the small piece of file where keyword (or keywords if you search for som regular expression) was found.

FSA highlights found keyword(s) so you can decide whether you need this very file. If not - click "Next File" button. If you not sure - click "Next Fragment" button to show next text fragment with found keyword(s)

Search Report

Any time you can generate search report from search results and make use of them later.

FSA puts in search report:

text from found files with highlighted keywords;
information about found files - size, path and relevancy to search phrase;
link to found file so you can open it right from search report;

Tell me more about searching in PDF files

Search Speed
Depends on what computer you are using now. You can download FSA and try for free.

If it will find ANY text in PDF file?

Almost in all cases FSA will do it's job, unless PDF file consists of pictures with text.

Can I use FSA to search in PDF as a binary file?

Anytime you can turn off "pdf to txt" filter. Then FSA will read PDF as a binary file.

If my PDF file is in ZIP archive, can FSA find text in it?

Yes, you just should check "search in zip files" checkbox.

Can it find PDF which is on network disk?

Yes FSA can search files on both local and network disks.

Get File Search Assistant

You can get File Search Assistant right now. It's a file search tool that allows to search for popular file types on local hard disk and across a network.