PDF Technologies

How to Search Keywords in a PDF Fast

Tue. 29 Aug. 202326373

While PDFs are excellent for consistency, searching for a specific string of characters can pose a challenge.

This blog post will guide you through the best practices for searching keywords quickly using PDF Reader Pro as your default PDF viewer. In this comprehensive post, we will also provide insight into using the extracted keywords effectively.

 

Naaziyah Ismail
B2B SaaS Content Writer
Naaziyah has written many tutorials on apps and software such as Monday.com, Jira, Asana, Trello, and PDF Reader Pro. She excels at engagingly simplifying complex processes. 


How to Search Keywords in a PDF with Windows

Step 1: Open Your PDF Document

To use our advanced search tool, click "Open File" on the menu bar or drag your PDF into the file drop zone.


Image Source: PDF Reader Pro

Method 1:

Step 2: Use the Search Box and Search Filters

To conduct a full-text search, click on "Panel" in the top left corner, then click on the magnifying glass icon in the search window pane.

 



Image Source: PDF Reader Pro

Method 2:

Step 1: Search Bar

Click on the search window in the top right corner, and type in the keyword or search terms you seek.

 



Image Source: PDF Reader Pro

Step 2: See Which Pages Contain the Keyword

You can navigate to the pages containing the keyword in the search panel box on the left. Click on the tabs to toggle between separate search results or results grouped by page.


Image Source: PDF Reader Pro

"The intuitive design of PDF Reader Pro has made it a staple for professionals seeking to optimize their digital workflow."
Naaziyah Ismail

B2B SaaS Content Writer
Source: LinkedIn


How to Search Keywords in a PDF with Mac

Step 1: Open Your PDF Document

Click "Open File" from the menu selection or drag your PDF form into the drop zone to open the search window pane within your document.


Image Source: PDF Reader Pro

Method 1:

Step 2: Type Your Search Terms into the Search Window Pane

To use the PDF search tools, click "Panel" in the top left corner, find the magnifying glass icon, and click the search button.

 



Image Source: PDF Reader Pro

Method 2:

Step 1: Search

Click on the search window in the top right corner, and type your search query in the search field.





Image Source: PDF Reader Pro

Step 2: See Which Pages Contain the Keyword

You can navigate to the pages containing the keyword in the panel box on the left. Click on the tabs to toggle between separate search query results or results grouped by page.


Image Source: PDF Reader Pro

The search feature in PDF Reader Pro has been incredibly helpful for quickly locating specific information within my documents, significantly enhancing my efficiency and productivity.


I also enjoy the convenience of adding a password to my documents directly within the app, which ensures that my sensitive information remains secure.

Get Started with PDF Reader Pro Today!

 

This dual functionality of advanced search capabilities and robust security measures, including easy password protection, makes PDF Reader Pro an indispensable tool in my daily document management and security practices.


You can also check our recommendations on How to Search for PDFs on Google.

Best Practices for Searching Keywords in a PDF

In PDF Reader Pro, enhancing your efficiency in finding specific information within PDF documents involves leveraging its strong features. Here are targeted actions you can take within the app to enhance your search process:

  1. Use the Advanced Search Feature: PDF Reader Pro's comprehensive search tool allows for precise keyword searches, including case-sensitive and whole-word options.
  2. Convert Scanned Documents with OCR: The OCR function transforms image-based or scanned PDFs into searchable text documents, enabling efficient keyword searching.
  3. Create and Use Bookmarks: For documents you frequently reference, use PDF Reader Pro's bookmarking feature to navigate to important sections or terms quickly.
  4. Highlight and Annotate Keywords: As you review documents, highlight or annotate key terms for easy identification in future searches.
  5. Batch Search for Efficiency: When working with multiple PDFs, use PDF Reader Pro's ability to search across several documents at once, saving time and effort.
  6. Organize Your PDF Library: Keep your PDFs well-organized within the app, using folders and descriptive filenames to make external searches faster and more intuitive.
  7. Leverage the Search History: Use the search history feature to revisit previous searches without re-entering the same keywords.
  8. Stay Updated with the Latest Version: Ensure you're using the latest version of PDF Reader Pro to benefit from ongoing improvements and enhancements to the search functionality

 

You can also check our recommendations for resources on How to Facilitate Hybrid Learning.

"PDF Reader Pro has comprehensive search tools to find any list of keywords."
Naaziyah Ismail
B2B SaaS Content Writer
Source: LinkedIn

 

Searching Keywords in a PDF: FAQs

Can I search for multiple keywords at once in a PDF?

Yes, most PDF readers, including PDF Reader Pro, can search for multiple keywords using operators like AND/OR in the search query, though the exact method may vary between software.

How do I make a scanned PDF searchable?

Use the OCR (Optical Character Recognition) feature available in many PDF editing tools to convert the text in scanned images into searchable, editable text.

Why can't I find certain keywords in a PDF?

If the PDF is a scanned image or the text is part of an image, it may not be searchable until you use OCR. Additionally, ensure you're not overlooking case sensitivity or spelling errors in your search.

Is it possible to search for keywords in multiple PDFs simultaneously?

Yes, PDF Reader Pro and other advanced PDF tools offer the functionality to search multiple PDF files simultaneously, provided they are located in the same folder or workspace.

Can I save my search results in a PDF?

While directly saving search results within the PDF isn't a standard feature, you can often save a summary or report of your search results or manually create annotations based on your findings.

Get Started with PDF Reader Pro Today!