How to Make a PDF Searchable - Online/Free/Without Acrobat

Part 1. Introduction to Searchable PDF

1. What Is a Searchable PDF?

A searchable PDF is a PDF file where the text can be selected, searched, copied, and even pasted just like in a Word document. You can press Ctrl+F (or Command+F) and quickly find the word you’re looking for. This makes reading and working with documents much easier.

On the other hand, scanned PDFs or those made from images only look like text but actually aren’t they’re just pictures. So, to make PDF readable and searchable, we need to turn those images into real text using a process called OCR (Optical Character Recognition).

2. Why Can’t I Search Text in Some PDF Files?

There are a couple of reasons why a PDF might not be searchable:

• Scanned Documents or Screenshots: If a PDF was created from a scan, photo, or screenshot, the text isn’t real it’s just part of the image. That’s why you can’t select or search anything.
• Design Software PDFs: Sometimes, PDFs created with graphic design tools (like Photoshop or Illustrator) don’t include proper text layers. So, even though you see text, the file doesn’t recognize it as text.

To fix this, you’ll need to make PDF searchable by running OCR on it using online or desktop tools.

Related topic:

What Is OCR? Text Recognition Basics & Tools

3. Types of PDFs and Their Searchability

Let’s break down the main types of PDFs so you can easily understand which ones are searchable and which need some help:

• Text-based PDFs: These are made from programs like Microsoft Word or Excel. They already contain real text and are fully searchable. You can highlight words, search for keywords, or copy paragraphs without any issues.
• Image-based PDFs: These are created by scanning papers, snapping a photo, or taking screenshots. They look like text but are just flat images. You can’t search or copy anything unless you create searchable PDF versions using OCR.
• OCR PDFs (Hybrid PDFs): These are the best of both worlds. They start as image-based PDFs, but OCR has been applied to them. This makes the text selectable and searchable, even though the background is still an image. It’s a great way to make PDF readable without losing the original look of the document.

Part 2. How to Make a PDF Searchable Without Acrobat for Mac/Windows

Most people struggle with free tools that reduce image quality or add watermarks when converting to PDFs. If you want to make a PDF searchable without losing clarity, Tenorshare PDNob is a powerful solution. It lets you convert scanned PDFs into fully searchable documents using advanced OCR, with no internet connection required.

It also supports formats like JPG, PNG, HEIC, and more perfect for high-quality conversions. With over 100+ editing tools, it doesn’t just create searchable PDFs it lets you edit, protect, combine, and even convert PDFs into formats like Word, Excel, PPT, TXT, and PDF/A.

Why Choose Tenorshare PDNob PDF Editor

• Turn scanned PDFs into searchable text with advanced OCR.
• Edit text, images, and links in any PDF file.
• Convert PDFs to and from Word, Excel, PNG, TXT, and more.
• Merge or split PDFs with just a few clicks.
• Add watermarks, backgrounds, or secure files with passwords.

Steps to Make PDF Searchable with PDNob PDF Editor:

• Launch the Tenorshare PDNob software on your computer. On the main interface, click the "OCR PDF" button.
  
• Select the desired files from your computer, then click "Open" to load them into PDNob.
• Click the "Download" button to download the OCR functionality if prompted.
  
• Once the OCR feature is installed, click the "OCR" button on the top toolbar to initiate the OCR process.
• A settings window will appear. Review the settings as needed, then click the "Perform OCR" button to start the recognition process.
  
• After the OCR is complete, you will be able to copy and use the extracted text from the PDF.
  
• Once OCR is complete, you can search, copy, or edit the text directly within the file.

Part 3. How to Make a PDF Searchable Online Free

If you prefer a quick solution without installing any software, online tools are a great choice. These platforms work right from your browser and are perfect for one-time or occasional use.

Method 1 – Use PDF2Go

PDF2Go is a free web-based tool that uses OCR technology to recognize text in scanned or image-based PDFs. It’s perfect for quick tasks and doesn’t require any setup. However, since it runs online, you’ll need an internet connection, and it’s best not to upload sensitive or private documents.

• Visit the Official Website

  Go to PDF2Go's searchable PDF tool. Click “Choose File” and select your PDF. You can also drag and drop the file directly into the upload area.

  
• For better OCR accuracy, select the correct language from the dropdown menu. Click “Start” and let PDF2Go process your document.

• Once finished, download your converted, searchable PDF.

Method 2 – Use Google Drive/Google Docs

Another free and convenient way to convert PDF to searchable PDF is by using Google Drive and Google Docs. This method works especially well for text-heavy PDFs and is perfect for anyone already using a Google account. Since the OCR feature is built into Google Docs, there's no need to install anything extra.

However, be aware that formatting may change during the process, and storing files on the cloud may raise some privacy concerns.

How to Make a PDF Searchable with Google Drive & Docs:

• Go to Google Drive, click “New” > “File upload”, and choose the PDF you want to make searchable.
• Once uploaded, right-click on the file, choose “Open with” > “Google Docs”. Google Docs will automatically apply OCR and extract the text.

• Press Ctrl + F (or Cmd + F on Mac) to search through the document. You can also use Edit > Find and Replace to look for specific words.

• Click on File > Download > PDF Document (.PDF) to save the file as a new, fully searchable PDF.

Part 4. How to Make a PDF Searchable in Adobe

Adobe Acrobat , it’s one of the most reliable tools to turn a PDF into searchable format. Adobe’s built-in OCR feature can detect and convert scanned text into selectable, searchable content. It works smoothly with other tools in the Acrobat ecosystem, making it a powerful solution for professionals.

However, the subscription cost may not be ideal for everyone. Whether you're using the desktop app or Adobe's online converter, here’s how to make a PDF scannable and searchable with Adobe tools.

How to Make a PDF Searchable with Adobe Acrobat

• Launch the Adobe Acrobat app on your computer.
• Click on “File” > “Open”, then select the PDF you want to make searchable.
• Go to “Tools” > “Scan & OCR” or “Recognize Text”.
• Choose “In This File”, then set the OCR language and Output Style: Searchable Image.

• Acrobat will scan the file and convert the image-based content into searchable text. Save the updated PDF.

Part 5. How to Make a PDF Searchable in Bluebeam

If you work with construction drawings, CAD files, or design-heavy documents, Bluebeam Revu is likely already part of your workflow. It’s a powerful tool tailored for technical users, and it includes OCR functionality to help you make PDF searchable even from scanned drawings or marked-up plans.

While it takes a bit of learning and comes with a license fee, it offers unmatched performance in the architecture, engineering, and construction industries.

Steps to Make a PDF Searchable in Bluebeam

• Launch Bluebeam and open the scanned or image-based PDF you want to make searchable.
• Go to the “Document” menu at the top, then click “OCR”.

• In the OCR dialog box: Select the Page Range (All pages or a specific range). Choose the correct Languag. Keep “Make Searchable” selected.

• Click OK to begin. Bluebeam will scan the file and convert all recognizable text into searchable layers. After OCR is applied, press Ctrl + F to test text search. Or you can go to Click Replace Checked.

Part 6. What Is the Best PDF OCR Converter

With so many OCR tools available, it can be hard to choose the right one. Some are fast and free but limited in features. Others offer high accuracy but may cost more or compromise your privacy.

If your goal is to make PDF scannable, it’s important to pick a tool that balances speed, reliability, and ease of use. Here’s a quick comparison of the top tools we’ve covered:

Please swipe to view

Conclusion

There are several simple ways to make PDF readable and accessible again, whether you’re using free online tools, cloud services, or professional desktop software.

In terms of reliability and features, Tenorshare PDNob is a great choice. It offers precise OCR, supports multiple file formats, works offline, and gives you full control over your documents. No matter your needs, learning how to make a PDF searchable is easier than ever with the right tool.

downloads :

PDNob PDF Editor Software- Smarter, Faster, Easier

rated on Trustpilot >

• Instantly read, summarize, and extract insights from PDF
• Convert PDF to 30+ formats like Word, Excel, and images
• Edit text, images, watermarks, links, and backgrounds for PDF
• 99% OCR precision for making scanned PDFs editable and searchable

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