How to Search Multiple PDF Files and Folders in Adobe Acrobat
Question details
The user needs to find a specific text string across a library of PDF files stored in a top-level directory and its subdirectories.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- Windows 7
- Scenario
- Searching for text content across multiple PDF documents and folders simultaneously.
- Observed behavior
- Looking to locate matching text strings in bulk and open specific matching files and pages directly from a consolidated results list.
Ensure all the PDF files you intend to search are organized within a single master folder on your local drive to streamline the scanning process.
Use Advanced Search in Adobe Acrobat
Utilize Acrobat's built-in Advanced Search tool to scan entire directories and subfolders for specific text strings.
The Advanced Search feature goes beyond the basic 'Find' tool by allowing you to query multiple PDFs across selected directories at once. This is highly efficient for researching large document libraries.
Launch Adobe Acrobat. Click on 'Edit' in the top menu bar and select 'Advanced Search', or press 'Shift + Ctrl + F' on your keyboard.
In the Search window, check the radio button for 'All PDF Documents in'. Click the dropdown menu underneath, select 'Browse for Location', and choose your top-level folder.
Type the specific word or phrase you are looking for into the 'What word or phrase would you like to search for?' text box.
Click the 'Search' button. Acrobat will scan the folder and its subdirectories. Click on any matched snippet in the results list to immediately open the corresponding file and page.
Manage and Search Documents Easily with WPS Office
WPS Office provides a highly capable, fast, and free PDF reader alongside robust tools for managing your entire document library. Its global search and intuitive tabbed interface make finding and handling PDFs a breeze.
- 1. Open WPS Office: Launch the WPS Office desktop application to access the main Home dashboard.
- 2. Search for Documents: Use the Global Search bar at the top of the Home screen to locate specific PDF files stored on your device.
- 3. Open the PDF File: Click on the relevant document from the search results to open it in WPS PDF.
- 4. Find Text Within the File: Press 'Ctrl + F' to bring up the Find tool, enter your specific keyword, and quickly navigate through all matches in the document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I search for exact phrases across multiple PDFs?
Yes. In the Advanced Search window, you can either put quotation marks around your phrase or click 'Show More Options' and choose 'Exact phrase' from the 'Return results containing' dropdown.
Why is the Advanced Search taking a very long time?
Searching through gigabytes of unstructured PDF files takes time. To speed up future searches, you can use Acrobat Pro to create a Full-Text Index (.pdx) for your master folder.
Does Advanced Search look at text inside scanned images?
No, by default Acrobat cannot read text inside flattened image scans. You must first use the 'Enhance Scans' or 'Recognize Text' (OCR) tool to make the documents searchable before running your query.
