Embedded metadata searchable

[Amie38282742ijic]

Inbridge i am applying descriptive metadata as well as technical metadata to images (XMP/IPTC) and in the field "keywords" for example, as information can vary image to image. When i am creating PDF derivatives and combining the PDF images into one PDF file (Combine PDF) will the individual image metadata still be retained? it doesnt seem like it from what i can see in 'Properities.. > Description' window.

I am trying to enable searchabiliy of the embedded metadata fields such as mentioned above "keywords" in a combined PDF, for example an embedded keyword is 'Fish' in one page of the 200 page document, i type in 'Fish' in a search bar then the program navigates to the image/page with the word fish embedded into it.  

Is this possible? 

[creative explorer · Accepted solution]

@Amie38282742ijic You are absolutely correct that when you combine images into a single PDF using Adobe Acrobat's "Combine PDF" feature, the individual image metadata (XMP/IPTC) is generally not directly embedded and searchable within the combined PDF's document-level metadata.

To enable searchability of the original image metadata within the combined PDF, you would likely need to utilize Adobe Acrobat's preflight or action wizard features to transfer the individual image metadata to PDF-level metadata or create searchable content within the PDF itself. One possible solution involves using a custom Acrobat action. This action could iterate through each embedded image in the combined PDF, extract the relevant metadata fields (like keywords), and then add this information as searchable text annotations or as custom fields within the PDF's document properties or page-level properties.

Acrobat doesn't automatically retain and index individual image metadata during the combine process for direct searching, a custom action could be designed to programmatically access this data and integrate it into the PDF in a searchable format, albeit requiring some technical setup within Acrobat Pro.