Does this tool work with scanned PDFs that contain images of text?

This tool works best with text-based PDFs that have selectable text. For scanned PDFs (images of text), you would need OCR (Optical Character Recognition) first to make the text selectable before searching. The tool cannot search through image-based content.

How does the PDF preview feature work?

After finding search results, you can click on any match to open a PDF preview modal. This shows the actual page from your PDF with the found text highlighted in yellow. You can navigate through all matches using the Previous/Next buttons, making it easy to review each occurrence in context.

Can I search for multiple words or phrases at once?

Currently, the tool searches for single terms, words, or phrases. You can search for multi-word phrases by entering them in the search box (e.g., 'data protection act'), but each search is limited to one search term at a time.

How accurate is the text extraction and searching?

The tool uses PDF.js, which is highly accurate for text-based PDFs. However, accuracy can vary depending on how the PDF was created. PDFs with complex layouts, multiple columns, or unusual fonts may have less accurate text extraction. The tool provides context around matches to help verify accuracy.

What's the difference between case-sensitive and whole-word search options?

Case-sensitive search matches only the exact capitalization you enter (e.g., 'Apple' won't match 'apple'). Whole-word search ensures matches are complete words and not parts of larger words (e.g., 'cat' won't match 'category'). You can use both options together for maximum precision.

Is my PDF data secure during the search process?

Absolutely! All processing happens locally in your browser using JavaScript and PDF.js. Your PDF files never leave your device or get uploaded to any server, ensuring complete privacy and security of your documents.

Can I search through password-protected or encrypted PDFs?

The tool cannot search through password-protected or encrypted PDFs because it cannot access the content without the password. You'll need to unlock the PDF first using the correct password, then upload it for searching.

PDF Text Search

Search for text within PDF documents with case-sensitive and whole-word matching options. Perfect for legal document review, research analysis, and quickly locating specific content across all pages of your PDF.

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