How to Search Multiple Things in PDF & Share Files

After you merge pdf files into a massive 500-page document, navigating it becomes a challenge. Before you share it, make sure the document is combined cleanly so the text remains searchable.

How to search multiple things in PDF?

If you need to find multiple keywords simultaneously in a massive merged document, standard Ctrl + F (or Cmd + F on Mac) will only let you search one word at a time. To search multiple things, you need to use "Advanced Search" (usually accessed via Shift + Ctrl + F in desktop viewers like Acrobat). This allows you to search across multiple PDF files in a specific folder, or search for stems (e.g., searching "run" will also find "running").

Pro Tip: If your PDF text isn't highlighting, it might be a scanned image. Run it through our OCR Tool first to make the text searchable!

Is it possible to search for metadata in a PDF?

Is it possible to search for metadata in a PDF? Absolutely. Metadata is hidden data attached to the file, such as the Author's name, Creation Date, or the software used to create it. If you use a desktop OS search function (like Windows File Explorer or Mac Spotlight), it automatically indexes and searches PDF metadata. This is incredibly useful if you merge hundreds of invoices and want to search by the creator rather than the file name.

How do I link people to a PDF?

A massive merged document might be too large to attach to an email. So, how do I link people to a PDF? The best method is to upload your newly merged PDF to a cloud storage provider (like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive). Once uploaded, right-click the file, select "Share," and choose "Anyone with the link can view." You can then copy and paste that URL into an email or Slack message.