Loading…
TEXT
Find a word or phrase across several PDFs at once and get a list of every page it appears on.
QUICK ANSWER
To search inside PDFs, add one or more files, type what you’re looking for and choose Search documents. StackPDF lists every match with its file and page number, and you can save the results as a text file. It runs in your browser, so your files aren’t uploaded.
Updated 31 October 2026 · Written by the StackPDF teamUpdated 31 October 2026 · StackPDF team
Add as many as you like. They stay in this browser.Add as many as you like. They stay in this browser.
PDF files · Runs in your browser
QUICK ANSWER
To search inside PDFs, add one or more files, type what you’re looking for and choose Search documents. StackPDF lists every match with its file and page number, and you can save the results as a text file. It runs in your browser, so your files aren’t uploaded.
Updated 31 October 2026 · Written by the StackPDF teamUpdated 31 October 2026 · StackPDF team
HOW TO
Drop one or more PDFs, from your computer, your phone or My files.
A word, a name, a number or a phrase.
Each match is listed with its file and page. Save the list as a .txt file.
GOOD TO KNOW
Search reads the text layer of each PDF.
| SITUATION | WHAT HAPPENS | TIP |
|---|---|---|
| Several files | Each match shows its file and page | Add a whole folder at once |
| Scanned PDFs | No matches, because the pages are pictures | Run OCR PDF on them first |
| Common words | Lots of matches | Search for a phrase instead |
| Protected PDFs | You’re asked for the password | Remove PDF password to skip this next time |
Results are saved as a plain text file that starts with your search.
PRIVACY
Yes. Search text in PDFs runs in your browser, so the file never leaves your device.
StackPDF opens the PDF in your browser tab and does the work there.
Close the tab and it’s gone. Free results download to your device. Premium can also keep them in My files.
pdf-lib, PDF.js and qpdf do the work, inside your browser.
FAQ
Add all the PDFs, type the word and choose Search documents. You get a list of every file and page where it appears.
Yes. The free plan includes 1 PDF export a day, with no account. Premium removes the daily limit for $5.99 a month or $39.99 a year.
No. The search runs in your browser, so your files stay on your device.
The page is probably a scanned image with no text layer, so run OCR PDF first. Search also matches capitals exactly, so try the word as it’s written.
Yes. Save them as a .txt file that starts with your search and lists each file and page with a match.
There’s no set limit. Add as many PDFs as you like; very large batches depend on your device’s memory.