You just received a message from a colleague – last year’s version of an article is outdated, and you need to update a 324-page document ASAP. You could spend an entire day manually combing through it, or you could learn how to search PDFs for keywords and get it done in minutes.
Thankfully, search tools in modern apps allow you to quickly find the terms you need without reading everything. In this guide, we’ll explore the different methods to search PDFs efficiently using Soda PDF.
Why write an article on how to search PDFs?
While this may not be revolutionary, even the simplest tips can save time and effort. Most people know that pressing CTRL + F allows you to search within a document, but there’s more to it. In this guide, we’ll cover the full range of search functionalities in Soda PDF so you can decide which one works best for you.
Option 1: Quick search
Soda PDF’s Quick Search is a simple and fast way to find words in your document. Here’s how:
- Look for the search bar at the bottom left of the Soda PDF window.
- Type the word you want to find.
- Press Enter. Every instance of that word will be highlighted.
To navigate through the results, simply use the up and down arrows.
Option 2: Standard search
For a more in-depth search, the standard search option is your go-to.
- Open the search bar by pressing CTRL + F or by clicking the search icon.
- Type your search term and press Enter or click the magnifying glass.
A list of occurrences will appear, and clicking any of them will take you directly to the term in the document.
Additional search options
- Case-sensitive Search: Click the arrow next to the magnifying glass and check the box to match case exactly.
- Whole Words Only: To find exact matches, check the box for “Whole words only.”
Search and replace
Moving into more advanced features, Search and Replace allows you to not only find terms but also replace them.
- Switch to the Search and Replace mode.
- Enter the term you want to find in the Search box and press Enter.
- Type the new term in the Replace box.
You’ll see a list of occurrences, each with a checkbox. Select the ones you want to replace and click Replace to apply the changes.
Search and redact
If you need to protect sensitive information, the Search and Redact feature will come in handy.
- Choose the Search and Redact option.
- Enter the term you want to redact and press Enter.
- Verify the occurrences and check the boxes for the terms you want to redact.
- Click Create to proceed and Apply to finalize the redaction.
That’s how you can search PDFs for keywords and speed up your work! Try these features in Soda PDF and see how much time you can save.
