How to Make a PDF Searchable - 3 Effective Methods

Part 1. What Is A Searchable PDF?

PDF is a scanned format that isn’t normally searchable which means that you can’t search a word or phrase in this format. It isn’t flexible in this format like other document formats including Word, PPT, and Excel.

A searchable PDF is a specific type of document format in which the content becomes searchable. In simple words, you can search for something from this document format too. It won’t remain static like the original format properties.

This access makes it simple for users to find a specific phrase, word, or fact from the entire document. The only thing you have to make sure is that you have followed the right process to make PDF searchable.

Part 2. Why Need to Make PDF Searchable?

When it comes to learning how someone can make PDF searchable, a very common question that comes to mind is why. Many people are curious to know why they should do this and what benefits they can get from it. If you are also confused about it, we are here to discuss it in detail. Let us share a few benefits that you will get by making your PDF searchable.

Easy to Retrieve Information

What is the most hectic task when you have to deal with a PDF of a hundred pages? It must be the information retrieval from such a huge document, especially when it is impossible to make a search. The best solution in this regard is to make your PDF searchable.

You can easily retrieve information from your document without taking much time. You do not have to scroll through the entire document or read every line to find the required information. By making the search possible, you only have to search the exact words and quickly jump to the specific page.

Improved Reading

Another benefit that you will get by doing this is improving your reading experience. While going through a long document and reading it, you may get a headache or leave your reading in between. In contrast, you can improve your reading by making it searchable.

It will help you quickly find the required section of your PDF file or jump to the page where you have left. In simple words, it won’t be a problem now if you leave your document’s reading in between and want to resume it after a while.

Effective Storage

Sometimes, you may have seen that a small portion of your document is necessary for you from the entire PDF. It might be hard for you to jump every time to that page and read it. By making your PDF searchable, you can easily accomplish this task.

You can jump to that particular section and extract it from the entire file. Isn’t it something that can help you store your data effectively or manage files properly?

Part 3. 3 Best Methods to Make PDF Searchable

So far, you have learned the benefits that you will get by making your PDF documents searchable. It might be possible you are now ready to understand how to make a PDF searchable. We have researched a lot and listed 3 best ways in this section.

You must read them and follow them to accomplish this task to get the expected results.

By Using Online Tools

One of the most effective ways to make a PDF searchable is by using an online tool. You can find a specific tool based on OCR technology to get the task done. This type of tool is basically designed to scan your document with OCR technology and create a new document with searchable functionality.

The problem is it might be hard to select the tool that is suitable for this change and quickly get the file with the required access. For your assistance, we have tested multiple tools and found the OCR PDF by I Love PDF the best one.

This online tool to make a PDF searchable has been designed with a simple interface. You can easily use this tool even when you are not proficient in this field or have no experience. It is pretty simple to upload your file from the local storage or other cloud storage like G-drive and Dropbox.

Despite this, the tool has been designed with a quick working algorithm. You won’t see a delay of a few minutes while using this tool. You only have to upload the file, click the OCR PDF button, and then download the new file with searchable functionality.

By Converting to Word

If the above process to make a PDF searchable hasn’t worked for you, another one is by converting PDF to Word. For many users, it is possible to do this conversion by using Windows built-in functions. In reality, it isn’t possible by following the similar procedure that you follow for Word to PDF conversion.

For this task, you have to use a tool like Adobe Acrobat that will help you change the format of your file. Using this advanced PDF software, you can create a Word, PPT, and Excel file of your PDF document. You only have to upload the file and use the dedicated options to complete the process.

Undoubtedly, it is the best process because you don’t have to deal with complex settings like online tools. However, it is only available for paid users who can invest in this field. Being a free user, you can’t make a PDF searchable using this tool by converting it to a Word file.

By Using Adobe Acrobat’s Recognize Text Function

Another effective way to make a PDF searchable using Adobe Acrobat is with its recognize text function. It is a specific function that uses OCR technology and a built-in function to make the content searchable.

You only have to use this function and apply it to your file. Once the tool has scanned the text, it will make your file searchable. You will be able to search anything from your file just like you do with Word or Excel files. It won’t remain static at all after this change in its pages.

Part 4. How to Make PDF Searchable with PDNob PDF Editor OCR?

Undoubtedly, the above-mentioned tools are considered the best to make a PDF searchable or customize it in different ways. However, they might not be suitable for those looking for a free resource.

In this regard, the best solution is to download PDNob PDF Editor on your computer and use it to edit your files. As the name shows, this specific software will help you perform a variety of changes to your file.

From simple text editing to image editing and conversion of files, you can use this software for multiple PDF-related tasks. Additionally, the tool has been made capable of working offline which makes it suitable for quick changes even on the go.

Despite all its editing functions, its OCR function enables you to make your PDF files editable and searchable. In simple words, you can edit your files or search for anything from them. To use this function, we have listed the steps here that you can easily understand and follow.

• Open your file using this software and click on the “OCR” option shown in the top menu.

• Choose from the “Scan Option” to make your document editable or searchable.
• From the “Page Range”, choose whether you want to apply the change to a specific page or the entire file.
• Tap on the “Perform OCR” button to complete the process.

It will take only a few seconds to process your file and open it in the new tab. You can now search for anything from your file by using the same software. However, the only thing you have to do is register a free account with the platform to access the OCR function.

Part 5. Conclusion

By reading this blog, you have understood how to make a PDF searchable without leaving bad impacts on them. We have discussed multiple methods that we have found effective after analyzing multiple ones.

Among all these methods, we suggest you download PDNob PDF Editor on your device. It will enable you to use its OCR function for free as well as access most of its functions to edit your files smoothly.