Adobe Searchable Pdf Software

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As our basic PDF reading needs are fulfilled by web browsers, the need for a free PDF reader software is decreasing. Still, there are some tasks like annotation, digital signature, PDF editing, form filling, etc. that need advanced PDF reader software. So, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best PDF readers for Windows PCs. This list for 2019 includes the likes of Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, SumatraPDF, Foxit Reader, etc.

How to make PDF Text searchable in Adobe. To start converting the scan into searchable text, click on 'Enhance Scans'. Skewing and resizing image: In the 'Enhance Scans' sub menu, select 'Camera Image' Blue dots appear on the scanned image. Drag the blue dots to parts of the image where there is text, and click 'Enhance Page'. Open the scanned file in Adobe Acrobat (eg.Adobe Acrobat Pro DC). If the file is scanned PDF, open it in Adobe directly; If the file is an image, run Adobe first, then select “Create PDF” in the wizard, choose the image file and it will be imported into Adobe. Go to ToolsEnhance ScansRecognize TextIn This File.

10 Best PDF Readers for Windows 10, 8.1, and 7

Choosing the right PDF reader that suits your needs in the year 2019 isn’t a tough task, but you need to know about the available options. So, let’s tell you about different software for viewing and reading PDF documents and help you decide which one’s best for you:

1. Adobe Acrobat Reader DC

If you’re looking for a powerful program to read PDF files, I’d like to recommend Adobe Acrobat Reader. It’s not uncommon to come across a PDF file that demands an advanced PDF reader. Here, I’m talking about the fillable forms that you can’t take care of using a basic PDF reader software for Windows. It’s still the recommended PDF solution for all tasks and the most popular of all the ones mentioned on this list.

While you might find it heavier as compared to the likes of SumatraPDF, which is ranked #2 on this list, it turns out to be useful when all the other solutions fail. You can use it for reading in different modes, text highlighting, adding notes, filling forms, digital signatures, add stamps, etc. This free PDF reader for Windows also supports a tabbed view, which means that you can open multiple PDF files simultaneously.

So, if your needs aren’t simple, you don’t want to just “read” PDF files, and you need advanced features, downloading Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is the right choice. It’s also the best PDF reader for large files that some lightweight programs are unable to process fully.

Note: On the download page of Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, the bundled options for McAfee Security Scan Plus and True Key by Intel Security are already selected. Make sure to untick them to avoid installing the software that you don’t need. If you’re downloading the same on your Mac, you won’t face this issue.

Supported Platforms: Windows 10, 8.1, 7, XP

2. SumatraPDF

SumatraPDF is an open source and lightweight PDF reader software that you can install and use on your Windows computer. Licensed under GPLv3 license, SumatraPDF supports formats other than PDF as well, including the likes of EPUB, MOBI, FB2, CHM, XPS, and DjVu.

As I mentioned above, this free and best PDF reader is very light and its 64-bit installer is just about 5MB in size. If you’re looking for a good PDF reader software that can simply deliver an amazing reading experience with fast performance and basic features, SumatraPDF is the right PDF reader for you. But, it lacks advanced features like annotations, document signing, and form-filling.

It supports various keyboard shortcuts to help you navigate easily and improve your reading experience. Sumatra also comes with easy previewing of LaTeX documents and you can configure different text editors to integrate Sumatra. It also supports running in restricted mode.

Supported platforms: Windows 10, 8.1, 7, XP

3. Your web browser

If your main demands are viewing PDF files and you don’t need features that come with advanced PDF reader software for Windows, you don’t need a dedicated software. Your web browser like Google Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Opera come with integrated PDF readers. They are a part of your web browser and updated regularly with new features along with your browser.

As you click on a PDF link, the web browser starts opening the PDF file on its own and provides you a clutter-free reading experience. All browsers allow you to use features like adjustable text size, rotation, download, and printing. Just in case you want to open locally stored PDF files using your web browser, you need to simply drag it to an open browser window to open the file. You can also right-click on the file to choose your browser using “Choose Another App” option. If you don’t open or view PDF files regularly, your web browser is the best PDF reader you can get.

Supported platforms: Windows 10, 8.1, 7

4. Nitro Reader

Nitro Reader is another popular name in the world office and productivity software. I personally like this free PDF document reader as it tries to strike the perfect balance between usability and features. It doesn’t come loaded with tons of unnecessary features that one never uses. Its slick interface looks like just any other application from Microsoft’s Office suite.

Apart from all the basic features, Nitro Reader also comes with a handy QuickSign feature for digitally signing documents a simple task. You can also secure your documents and make sure that they are opened by the people who’ve received a digital certificate from you. So, Go for Nitro Reader if you wish to use a no-nonsense PDF reader that also have a nice UI.

Supported Platforms: Windows 10, 8.1, 7, XP

5. Foxit reader

If you’re looking for an excellent and free PDF reader for Windows 10 or older versions of Microsoft Windows, your search might end with Foxit Reader. Just like Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, Foxit too is a popular name in the world of document readers. Compared to Adobe’s PDF reading solution, Foxit is comparatively lighter. Foxit’s website is well designed and it doesn’t try to ship some extra bloatware to your PC. However, it does try to install Foxit PhantomPDF editor’s 14-day trial during the installation process, so take a look at that.

With its recent release in 2016, Foxit also introduced its new online ConnectedPDF Document Management System. Its Text Viewer mode removes complex formatting and displays a plain Notepad-like view of the file. The collaboration features further improve your PDF experience by letting you work online and share with others. It’s an advanced software for reading PDF files, and it comes will all the necessary features.

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Supported platforms: Windows 10, 8.1, 7, XP

6. Google Drive

Just like your web browser, Google Drive is another way of opening a PDF file without any external tools. Moreover, it also acts as a place to store your data, which makes it a great way to store documents, view them, and share with the concerned people.

Apart from by opening a PDF in its bare minimum format, you can connect external Chrome apps to this PDF reader to add extra functionality. Moreover, you can simply choose the option to open a PDF via Google Docs and convert that PDF into an editable doc format.

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Supported Platforms: Windows 10, 8.1, 7, XP

7. Slim PDF

Just like SumatraPDF, Slim PDF is another lightweight and best PDF reader for Windows operating systems. It calls itself the world’s smallest desktop PDF reader. I don’t know about the validity of this claim, but its download size is of just 1.43MB. In my system, it was just about 5MB. So, if you’re looking for an extra small size PDF reader for your old computer, Slim PDF has the potential to end your search.

Just as one would expect, this good and free software for reading PDF files is simply focused on reading, viewing, and printing your PDF files. It loads very quickly and lets you complete your job in less time. Please note that it doesn’t support many popular keyboard shortcuts, so don’t get disappointed due to that. Also, it doesn’t let you highlight you text word by word. Anyway, it’s a portable PDF reader software that just works.

Supported Platforms: Windows 10, 8.1, 7, XP

8. Expert PDF Reader

Expert PDF Reader is another free PDF reader for Windows for 2019 that you can download and use to view PDF files easily. It comes with a new interface and all the basic features. You can add notes, highlight the text, create a text box, etc. You also get the facility of creating custom stamps and managing them. The signature feature is also included in Expert PDF Reader software.

The latest release of Expert PDF Reader Professional comes with new features to preserve PDF files for a long period of time. There are new options to optimize the file size and OCR function as well to get the most out of your workflow.

Supported Platforms: Windows 10, 8.1, 7, XP

9. Javelin PDF Reader

The second-last entry on the top PDF readers list is Javelin PDF Reader. It comes with all the basic PDF reading functionality that one needs to complete daily chores. The overall interface is super clean and you can choose from most of the common reading modes like full screen, continuous, side by side, etc. Compared to the likes of Adobe Acrobat Reader DC and Foxit reader, Javelin is pretty lightweight.

If you want to use a lightweight PDF reader software that can also help you with the viewing of DRM-secured PDF files, Javelin reader, with its 2MB download size, could turn out to be the best choice out there.

Supported Platforms: Windows 10, 8.1, 7, XP

10. PDF-XChange Editor

PDF-XChange Lite is a free PDF reader for Windows 10 that has been completely revamped and simplified. This software doesn’t take much time to open and provides a lightweight experience for reading, printing, annotating, saving images and text, etc. from a PDF file. Prior to this, the software was called PDF-XChange Viewer and it didn’t have the basic editing functions available for free. You also get features like OCR and digital signature as well.

As claimed by the developers, the free version of PDF-XChange Editor provides more than 60% of the features that ship with the paid version.

Supported Platforms: Windows 10, 8.1, 7, XP

Which best PDF reader do you use?

So, which free PDF reader software is your current favorite in 2019? Depending on your usage and needs, your choices might defer but you’ll surely find a suitable solution on this recommendation list. In my opinion, Adobe Acrobat Reader DC and Google Drive are enough to get different types of jobs done. Don’t forget to try them out and tell us your results.

Also Read: Best Free And Open Source Android Apps Every User Should Try

PDF has been everyone’s favorite file format for sharing documents. It’s mostly because it retains all the text formatting and graphics inside it, and also the end-user doesn’t really need anything to open it except for a free PDF reader software. The only downside of the PDF format is that you can’t search for text inside these files as easily as you can with other files.

However, there are a few methods that let you perform the PDF search operation so you can search for a specific word in multiple PDF files at once on your machine. The following guide teaches you how to do just that.

How To Search Multiple PDF Files Using Acrobat Reader

The most popular way to search a PDF or multiple PDF files is to use the Acrobat Reader software on your computer. Here’s how you perform the task in the software.

  1. Open the Acrobat Reader on your computer.
  2. Click on the Edit menu and select Advanced Search.
  3. Select All PDF Documents in and then choose your PDF folder.
  4. Enter your search term in the input box.
  5. Click on the Search button.
  6. Hit Allow in the prompt on your screen.
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The software will search for your given term in all the PDF files in your specified folder. You’ll see the results right in the search pane.

Searching For A Specific Search Term In Multiple PDF Files

Most PDF readers let you search for any text you want in your PDF files. It’s because PDFs are scannable documents, and like Microsoft Word files, their characters are also recognizable by your system.

What you can’t do easily with your PDF files, though, is that you can’t search for a specific term in multiple files at once. Pressing the Control + F key only searches the current document that’s open in the software but it doesn’t search any other PDF files.

If you have a lot of PDF files lying around and you’re looking for something specific in them, your best option is to use the advanced search feature of Acrobat Reader. It lets you look for your specific search terms in all the PDF files available in a single location on your computer.

Here’s the entire procedure to do so with Acrobat Reader:

Download and install Acrobat Reader if you don’t already have it on your computer.

Launch the software and you’ll see your recent files list. The option you’re looking for is located in the Edit menu. Click on the Edit menu at the top and select the option that says Advanced Search. Alternatively, you can press Shift + Ctrl + F.

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On the following screen, set the options as the following:
Where would you like to search? – select All PDF Documents in and then use the dropdown menu to select the folder where your multiple PDFs are saved.
What word or phrase would you like to search for? – enter the word you want to search for in your PDF files.
You can use the additional options to customize how your word is searched, such as tick-marking the Case-Sensitive checkbox so your search query is case-sensitive, and so on.
Finally, click on the Search button to begin searching.

You can then review the results when they appear on your screen.

Using Windows Search To Search Inside PDF Files

PDF files can also be searched using the default Windows search option on your Windows machine. You need to first enable an option though as shown below.

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Head to Control Panel > Indexing Options and click on Advanced.

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Select the File Types tab on the following screen and look for pdf in the list. Tick-mark the box for pdf. Then enable the Index Properties and File Contents option and click on OK.

It’s time to add the PDF folders into the index list. To do so, open the same Indexing Options dialog box and click on Modify. Then choose the folder where your PDFs are and click on OK to get the folders added for PDF indexing.

Once Windows has finished indexing your PDFs and their contents, you’ll be able to search for text inside multiple PDF files at once.

Use SeekFast To Search PDF Files

SeekFast also lets you easily search for your terms in various file types including PDF. Here’s how it works.

  • Download and install the software on your computer.
  • Launch the software, enter in your search term into the search box at the top, click on the Browse button to select your PDF folder, and finally hit Search.

It’ll search for terms in all the PDF files located in your chosen directory.

Performing A PDF Search Using Foxit Reader

Foxit Reader also comes equipped with advanced search capabilities and you can use it to find whatever it is you want in your multiple PDF files.

Get the software installed on your computer and then launch it.

Click on the search icon next to the search box at the top-right menu. It opens advanced search options.

On the following screen, select your PDF folder from the first dropdown menu, enter in your search term in the search box, checkmark other filters if you want to apply them, and finally hit that Search button.

Your search results should now be on your screen.

How To Use UltraFinder To Search PDF Files

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UltraFinder is an advanced search tool for Windows machines and it can be used to search for text inside your PDF files as well.

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Install and launch the tool on your Windows computer.

Set the options as the following so it searches the contents of your PDF files. Then hit the green play button to start searching.
Find matches by – File contents
Find what – enter your search term here
Find where – add the directory where your PDFs are located
In files/types – *.pdf

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It’ll list out all the PDF files that it found your search word in.