Search inside PDF files

[benparsons]

Is there any way to search within all PDF files on the device? The main system search doesn't index them.

I'm imagining something like the way spotlight works in that it searches within files globally (ie, all files on the system). Maybe this is too intensive indexing for a mobile device.

 

[douglasrac]

Can't believe almost a year later and nothing like this exist. It's a must feature.

 

[Roze]

Can't believe almost a year later and nothing like this exist. It's a must feature.

There is. Try ezPDF Reader. It's the best PDF on the market to date. It costs a few pennies ($2.99) but it's worth it It has a lot of features including the ability to search within the PDF.

 

[douglasrac]

It search inside the PDF while Im already inside the PDF. That is just useless. I want an universal search, just like Windows Search, searching all files and inside text files, such as DOC, TXT and PDF.

 

[Roze]

It search inside the PDF while Im already inside the PDF. That is just useless. I want an universal search, just like Windows Search, searching all files and inside text files, such as DOC, TXT and PDF.

hmm...yeah, we don't have that >_>;;;;

 

[jae_63]

You could write to the developer of Power Search and ask him to add this feature, e.g. in a paid version of the program

http://www.appbrain.com/app/power-search/com.xphonesoftware.android.asearch

 

[douglasrac]

You could write to the developer of Power Search and ask him to add this feature, e.g. in a paid version of the program

Power Search for Android | AppBrain.com

I would if Power Search works. It doesn't. It keep searching and searching and never ends. I end up using ES Explorer. But no search inside files.

It's very strange that the biggest search company in the world makes an operational system without internal search.
You can search satellites near you, book stores near you, or even locate friends in real time, but can't find a file that is right there, in front of you?

 

[benparsons]

Yes, it is surprising. I'd really like Kindle to have a global search feature too, but it's a notable missing feature. Windows 7 doesn't even include this feature from scratch, but Spotlight on OSX is superb.

 

[benparsons]

Yes, it is surprising. I'd really like Kindle to have a global search feature too, but it's a notable missing feature. Windows 7 doesn't even include this feature from scratch, but Spotlight on OSX is superb.

Wow, just realised I started this thread and it's the last time I was on the site, a year ago. Great response from the community in that time of course...

 

[douglasrac]

The response is from now. I revived your thread.

Windows 7 includes a perfect search engine from scratch. Android sucks!

 

[benparsons]

Yes, I understand that, my comment was meant to be flippant.

Windows 7 does not include PDF indexing from a fresh install, at least not for x64, hence Adobe provide a facility for this: Adobe - Acrobat : For Windows : Adobe PDF iFilter 9 for 64-bit platforms

 

[Bill09798634]

Hi,

I struggled with this for a while. If you put your pdfs in Google Drive, then they will automatically be indexed. You can then open google drive from your phone and search!

 

[AndroSearch]

Is there any way to search within all PDF files on the device? The main system search doesn't index them.

I'm imagining something like the way spotlight works in that it searches within files globally (ie, all files on the system). Maybe this is too intensive indexing for a mobile device.

AndroSearch app will search within all PDF files on the device. It also searches in Office
files and other textual formats.
Disclaimer: I'm its developer.

 

[douglasrac]

And I endorse him. Its an amazing app. Just like in Win7, fast search and inside contacts, files, numbers, names, addresses, everything. I forgot about this thread, otherwise I would have posted myself long time ago.

It also integrates with Tasker.