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U
uncledewey
Participating Frequently
June 5, 2020
Answered

Not able to search

  • June 5, 2020
  • 3 replies
  • 2045 views

I print/save a pdf file, but when opening the file on my desktop the Search function does not work.  Another person saved the same file on his computer and sent it to me as an attachment to an email.  When opening his version the Search function work.  I'm at a loss to know what to do now to correct my version of the file, and I'm hoping someone can steer me in the correct direction.

 

Thanks a mil for your interest,  Uncle Dewey

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer swapnilsrivastava

Hi There,

 

Thanks for reporting the issue here.

This is a known behavior and a limitation from the browsers end i.e. Firefox and Chrome.

As whenever we try to Print a webpage using these browsers; they do not forward the data-outline which is required in turn to make the PDF file directly edittable/searchable. Hence, we are not directly able to show the data results.

 

Workaround : One can use IE (internet explorer) browser to print the webpage; and will be able to search document without an issue; or else can run OCR on the printed pdf using Acrobat, or use the browser extension to convert the document.

We've a bug with Google Chrome and such browsers; but they have no recent plans on fixing the issue; Please use the workaround; or try using Adobe Acrobat Chrome/Firefox/Safari browser extension to convert the document.

 

Do let us know, if anything else is required from our end.

 

Regards,

Swapnil Srivastava

3 replies

swapnilsrivastava
Community Manager
swapnilsrivastavaCommunity ManagerCorrect answer
Community Manager
June 15, 2020

Hi There,

 

Thanks for reporting the issue here.

This is a known behavior and a limitation from the browsers end i.e. Firefox and Chrome.

As whenever we try to Print a webpage using these browsers; they do not forward the data-outline which is required in turn to make the PDF file directly edittable/searchable. Hence, we are not directly able to show the data results.

 

Workaround : One can use IE (internet explorer) browser to print the webpage; and will be able to search document without an issue; or else can run OCR on the printed pdf using Acrobat, or use the browser extension to convert the document.

We've a bug with Google Chrome and such browsers; but they have no recent plans on fixing the issue; Please use the workaround; or try using Adobe Acrobat Chrome/Firefox/Safari browser extension to convert the document.

 

Do let us know, if anything else is required from our end.

 

Regards,

Swapnil Srivastava

U
uncledeweyAuthor
Participating Frequently
June 15, 2020

Hooray!!!!!!!!!  If I save the document to a pdf file with Internet Explorer I am able to search.  I tried to change Firefox, but was not successful.  I will work with Firefox forum to see if they have a fix.  I'm so pleased to find a solution--it's been about thrtee weeks.

 

Thanks a mil to Swapnil Srivastava,  Uncle Dewey

T
Test Screen Name
Legend
June 13, 2020

I notice you say print/save. If that means what I think, you must not do that. To save a PDF use save but never, never use print to PDF. This will ruin everything, and one likely result is searching will fail. 

U
uncledeweyAuthor
Participating Frequently
June 13, 2020

On the file I want to Save, I select their print option, and on the HP Print Screen I choose Microsoft Print to pdf, and also Check Print to File.  I don't know what else to do and it did work another time.

 

How does that sound?  Uncle Dewey

try67
Community Expert
try67Community Expert
Community Expert
June 13, 2020

Sounds bad. Why are you doing that? Why not simply save the PDF file directly?

Amal.
Community Manager
Amal.Community Manager
Community Manager
June 5, 2020

Hi uncledewey

 

We are sorry for the trouble. As described the search function is not working on your version of the PDF file.

 

Would you mind sharing the workflow/steps you are doing to save the file? Also, how the PDF is created? 

 

Are you saving the file locally to your comouter or is it on a shared network drive?

 

What is the version of the Adobe Acrobat/Reader DC you are using? To check the version, go to Help > About Adobe Acrobat/Reader DC and make sure you have the latest version installed. Go to Help > Check for Updates.

 

Is this a behavior with a particular PDF file or with all the PDFs?  Would it be possible if you can share a sample PDF file with us so we can check it at our end and assist you better.

 

Thanks.

Amal

U
uncledeweyAuthor
Participating Frequently
June 6, 2020

Hi Amal,  I checked and there were no updates need--not surprising since I had uninstalled and reinstalled Adobe Acrobat Reader DC recently.  I would be more than happy to attach both pdf files containing the same info where one will not Search the the other will Search--I just don't see how to attach the files.  The pdf files are created on a web site and I wish to save the pdf file to my desktop computer.  The file where the Search function is working, was done on someone else's computer but the process of saving would be the same as mine.  We select the Print Function which provides an option to save to a pdf file.  So the Search Function problem is on one file and not on all pdf files on my computer.

 

Once I know how I'll be glad to attach both files for review.  Thanks ever so much for your help,  Uncle Dewey

 

U
uncledeweyAuthor
Participating Frequently
June 13, 2020

Hi there

 

Thanks for sharing the details.

 

Please upload both the files to the document cloud https://documentcloud.adobe.com/  generate the link and share the link with us.

 

Regards

Amal


Hi Amal,

 

Were you able to determing why I can not Search in the one file?

 

Thanks a bunch,  Uncle Dewey

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