My neighbor is trying to search a pdf file for the word 'eight' but doesn't want 'weight', 'eighty' or other instances where 'eight' is within a larger string. She searched for ' eight ' (with spaces on either side), and it ignores the spaces. I just tried the same, and it ignores the spaces in the search.

How do you get the pdf search to not ignore spaces?

She has tried with a space before and after, both before and after; on Vista and Windows 7; with an Adobe reader and a reader/writer.

It seems like there should be a setting, and under Edit/Preferences, there is a Search option. But I sure don't see how to set it to not ignore leading and trailing spaces in a search.

2

4 Answers

Select Edit > Advanced Search

Select "Match Exact word or phrase", then tick the "Whole words only" option.

Apparently this is only in Adobe Reader X (sorry).

In Adobe Reader 9 it's Edit > Search (Shift+Ctrl+F)

There's no drop down but there is the "Whole words only" option:

3

Most search engines will consider exact match if you surround the text with " like " eight "

4

Keep your software up-to-date, Adobe Reader 9 has bugs and security leaks.

Here is a screenshot of Adobe Reader X:

As it looks like they slightly revamped the search engine it might support the " " syntax as well...

2

To search for phrases with spaces:

1. Press Shift-Ctrl-F to Open Full Reader Search.
2. Enter the phrase but use the underscore character "_" in place of each space.
3. Change Return results containing to "Match Any of the words".
4. Click on "Show More Options" on the bottom left of the window.
5. Check the option "Stemming" under "Use these additional criteria".

1

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Sign up using Google Sign up using Facebook Sign up using Email and Password Submit

Post as a guest

Post Your Answer Discard

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy