This article was updated on 3 February 2026
To quickly search for a word or phrase in MobiPDF Desktop, open your document, go to the View tab, click Find, or press Ctrl + F to open the search bar instantly.
Finding specific information inside a PDF can save significant time, especially when working with long documents or complex layouts. Instead of scrolling page by page, MobiPDF lets you search within the file and jump directly to each result, helping you move through documents faster and more accurately.
The search tools work on both desktop and mobile, display results clearly, and make it easy to move between matches. This guide explains how to search for words on a page, refine results for better accuracy, and use OCR to make scanned PDFs searchable when text isn’t selectable.
Key takeaways
You can search for any word or phrase inside a PDF with MobiPDF.
Search highlights all results and lets you jump between them.
Filters like Match Case and Whole Words Only help you find exact matches.
Enable OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to search through scanned PDFs.
The same search steps work on iPhone, Android, and Windows.
Why searching in a PDF matters
Searching in a PDF matters because it lets you find specific words or phrases instantly instead of reading the entire document page by page.
Many PDFs include long sections of text, tables, or scanned pages, which can make manual reading slow and tiring. Using a search helps you jump directly to what you need, such as names, dates, key terms, or instructions.
With MobiPDF, built-in search tools, filters, and clear result navigation make it easier to review reports, manuals, contracts, or study materials efficiently.
How PDF search works in MobiPDF
MobiPDF looks through the text inside the PDF and highlights every place where your word or phrase appears. You can move forward or backward through the results and see where each match is located on the page. If your file is a regular digital PDF, search works right away. If the PDF is scanned, you must run OCR to turn the image into readable text first. After that, the search tool works the same way.
This makes MobiPDF helpful for everyday tasks like checking details, finding repeated terms, or reviewing long documents quickly.
How to search for words in a PDF in MobiPDF
Searching inside a PDF is simple and takes only a few steps. You do not need special settings unless you want to narrow down your results.
Steps to search for a word on a page:
Open your PDF in MobiPDF.
Tap or click the magnifying glass icon to open the search bar. With the document open, the user can also press "Ctrl + F" to bring up the search tool.
Type the word or phrase you want to find.
Look at the highlighted results that appear in the document.
Use the arrows or navigation buttons to move between matches.
Adjust filters if you need more accurate results.
This process works whether the PDF has one page or hundreds of pages. You can repeat the search anytime without changing your document.
How to search for specific or certain words more accurately
Sometimes you want to narrow your search because a word appears many times or because you are looking for a very specific result. MobiPDF includes filters that help you control how search behaves.
Here are filters that improve accuracy:
Match Case: Finds only words that match the same uppercase or lowercase letters as the text you typed.
Whole Words Only: Finds complete words, not parts of larger words.
Exact Phrase: Finds the full phrase.
You can enable these filters when needed. For example:
Searching for “net” without Whole Words Only may also highlight the word “internet.”
Searching for “Name” with Match Case will not match “name.”
These controls help you filter the noise and find only what you need.
How to search in a scanned PDF with OCR
If your file is scanned or image-only, search will not work until the text becomes readable. MobiPDF includes OCR (text recognition) which turns scanned images into real text. After OCR, search works just like in any normal PDF.
Steps to use OCR before searching:
Open your scanned PDF in MobiPDF.
Go to the Convert menu and select OCR.
Choose which pages to process: all pages, the current page, or a custom page range.
Select the language of the text if required.
Apply OCR and wait for the text recognition process to finish.
Once the text is recognized, open the search bar and search the document normally.
OCR is helpful for old documents, printed pages, notes, books, and any PDF made from images. After recognition, you can also copy the text or edit it if needed.
Tips for Better Results When Searching in PDFs
Sometimes search does not show the results you expect. This is usually easy to fix by adjusting a few settings.
Here are simple tips:
Make sure the PDF is scanned using OCR
Try removing filters if no results appear.
Zoom out slightly if highlights seem hidden.
Use short, clear words or phrases when possible.
Try searching for part of the phrase if you are unsure of spelling.
Check if the word appears as an image or picture – this requires OCR first.
These small adjustments help you get accurate results quickly.
Frequently asked questions
Can I search for a word anywhere in a PDF?
Yes. MobiPDF can search the whole document and highlight every place where the word appears. You can move through the results one by one and see the exact location on each page.
Can I search for a full phrase instead of a single word?
Yes. Type the entire phrase into the search bar and MobiPDF will find all exact matches. This is useful when looking for names, repeated terms, or exact instructions.
Why can’t I find a word in my PDF?
This may happen when the PDF is scanned or image-based. Run OCR first to turn the images into text, then search again. Another reason may be filters blocking some results, such as Match Case or Whole Words Only.
Does search work the same on iPhone and desktop?
The search experience is slightly different on iPhone and desktop, but the core steps and functionality remain the same, making it easy to find words and navigate results across devices.
Can I search inside protected or locked PDFs?
Yes, as long as the document allows you to view its contents. If the PDF is password-protected and you cannot open it, you must unlock it first.
Find important information fast with MobiPDF
MobiPDF gives you simple tools to search, highlight and jump through long PDFs in seconds. With OCR scanned files and filters for precise results, you can quickly locate the exact words or phrases you need and move through your documents with confidence.
