How to Search a PDF

If you have a contract, guide, manual, or other material in the form of a PDF file, you may be in search of a particular word or phrase in the document. Whether the file is online or on your computer, this tutorial shows you ways to search a PDF quickly and easily.

How to Search a PDF in Your Web Browser

If you view a PDF hosted on your web browser, there are a couple of methods to search for a word or phrase.

The simplest way to open the Find tool in your browser is via a keyboard shortcut for your platform. On Windows, press Ctrl + F, and on Mac, press Command + F.

Along with a handy keyboard shortcut, you can access the search feature a bit differently, depending on the browser. Once you do, searching and viewing results is basically the same.

With the PDF in the active tab, do one of the following to open the search tool:

• Chrome: press the “Customize and control Google Chrome” button (three lines on the top right), and select “Find.”
• Firefox: select “Edit -> Find in Page.”
• Edge: press the “Find” button (magnifying glass) in the top toolbar.
• Safari: navigate to “Edit -> Find” in the menu bar, and choose “Find” in the pop-out menu.

Enter your search term in the find tool, and press Enter or Return to view your results. You should see the number of matches in or near the search box.

Use the arrows next to the search tool to move through each result one at a time.

Optional Filters

You’ll notice that a couple of web browsers provide filters to narrow down your search results. This includes Firefox and Safari.

In Firefox, check the boxes at the bottom for the filters you want to use. These include matching the letter case or diacritics, along with finding whole words. You can also check the box to highlight the results.

In Safari, open the drop-down box to the left of the search box, and choose either “Contains” or “Begins with.”

How to Search a PDF in an Online File Service

If your PDF is stored online using a service like Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox, use the methods above to search. As you’re using a web browser to access the file, pressing the keyboard shortcut to find the word you want makes it easy.

Along with the shortcut for your particular platform, some services provide a specific search feature. While using the search tool in Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox is the same, follow the steps below to access the tool in each application.

Google Drive

When you open a PDF in Google Drive, it displays in the Preview window and allows you to use the Find tool. Click the “More actions” button (three dots) on the top right, and select “Find.”

Enter your search term in the “Find” box, and press Enter or Return.

OneDrive

There is a handy search tool in the floating toolbar at the bottom of the screen in OneDrive. If you don’t see the toolbar, click any spot in your document, and it should display. Then, select the Search icon.

Enter your search term in the “Search for” field, and press Enter or Return.

Dropbox

Select the file to open it in Dropbox, and click the search icon near the top right to open the file.

Enter your search term in the “Search this document” field, and press Enter or Return.

View the Search Results

In all three applications, you’ll see the number of results to the right of the search term. Move through the highlighted results using the arrows to the right.

How to Search a PDF With a PDF Reader

If you work with PDFs often, you may use a reader specifically for the file type. Adobe Acrobat Reader is a popular free desktop application for reviewing PDF files. It provides its own search feature that includes filters.

With your PDF open in Adobe Acrobat Reader, select “Find text or tools” in the toolbar at the top.

Enter your search term in the box, and press Enter or Return. Choose the result in the drop-down box below “Exact Matches,” which also displays the number of results.

Use the arrows to highlight and move to each result.

Use Filters or Advanced Search

Before entering your search, term, apply a quick filter or use the Advanced Search option, if desired.

Select the three dots on the right side of the search box, and check the boxes for the options you want to use, such as whole words, case sensitivity, and including bookmarks and comments in the search. Then, enter your search term.

If you prefer a more detailed search, select “Advanced search.”

To see all search fields, select “Show More Options” at the bottom of the adjacent window next to the Adobe Acrobat Reader window.

Narrow down your search results by marking the filter you want to use, such as look for a phrase, match any words, and includes attachments, then select “Search.”

Each found result will appear in the Search window, and the results will be highlighted in the document.

Use the “X” at the top of the Search window to close it and return to your PDF file in the main window when you are finished.

If you’re using a PDF reader other than Adobe Acrobat Reader, check out the menu items or toolbar for the search tool. Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut for “Find.”

How to Search a PDF With a Desktop Application

If you’ve downloaded your PDF file but don’t have a PDF reader, you can still open and search the file using a desktop application on either Windows or Mac.

Use Word on Windows

You can open a PDF file in Microsoft Word on Windows. Use Word’s search feature to find what you need.

Open Microsoft Word, select “File -> Open” from the menu, then use the options to locate the PDF file.

Select the PDF file, and click “Open.”

You may see a message that Word will convert your PDF to an editable document. It may take a few minutes to process and look slightly different. Click “OK” to continue.

When the PDF opens, go to the “Home” tab, and select “Find” in the Editing section of the ribbon to open the search tool.

Alternatively, learn other ways to search Microsoft Word documents.

Use Preview on Mac

Preview is the default app for opening PDFs in macOS and also provides a helpful search feature.

Double-click the PDF to open it in Preview, or right-click the file, move to “Open With,” and choose “Preview.”

Enter your search term in the “Search” box in the toolbar at the top. If your window is condensed, select the search icon to expand the Search box.

Enter your search term, and press Return to display the results highlighted in the document and displayed on the left side of the Preview window.

If you’re looking for a phrase rather than a single word, click the arrow next to the search icon to mark the “Exact Phrase” filter.

Use the arrows on the right side to move to each result. You can also change the “Sort By” option to “Search Rank” or “Page Order.”

Click “Done” on the right side of the Search toolbar when you’re finished.

Peek Into Your PDF

When you need to find a word or phrase in a PDF document, there are a variety of methods, depending on where the file is located. Keep these spots and steps in mind the next time you’re looking for something in a PDF.

If you’re interested in doing more with your PDF documents, learn how to cut, copy, and paste text in a PDF.

Image credit: Pixabay. All screenshots by Sandy Writtenhouse.