Unable to search for phrases in PDF document with Preview

[usagora]

I can search for single words, but when I search for a phrase, even using quotation marks around the phrase, all it does is find instances of ANY of those words, not the exact phrase only. This is in direct contradiction to Apple's documentation, which states:

To find an exact phrase, enclose the phrase in quotation marks.

Find text in PDFs in Preview on Mac

In Preview on your Mac, type text in the search field to search the entire document. You can also limit your search to text in a document’s notes.

support.apple.com

Here's a video showing the (apparent) bug. Anyone else experiencing this?

*sorry a beginning of the screen recording got cut off. That's actually another problem I'm having--the Screenshot app says it's recording, but the first 5 seconds or so get cut off when it saves the recording! But you can see where I've typed in the search field for a single word ("use") and the results on the page are highlighted.

 

[gilby101]

I can search for single words, but when I search for a phrase, even using quotation marks around the phrase, all it does is find instances of ANY of those words, not the exact phrase only. This is in direct contradiction to Apple's documentation, which states:

You also need to consider the little drop down at left in search box (exact phrase).

Exact phrase on and no quotation marks, a search for any string of letters and spaces finds all occurrences of that string in the document. I say "string" (not "phrase") because the occurrences can start in the middle of a word. << This is what you want.

Exact phrase off and no quotation marks, finds all occurrences of each word << This is what you are seeing.

Exact phrase on or off and quotation marks, nothing is found.

My conclusion is that the Apple Support page is in error - probably not updated for Ventura (or some other recent macOS).

 

[usagora]

You also need to consider the little drop down at left in search box (exact phrase).

Ah, but that's sort of redundant if you use quotation marks. Oh well, at least I know now.

My conclusion is that the Apple Support page is in error - probably not updated for Ventura (or some other recent macOS).

It says Ventura, though:

 

[gilby101]

It says Ventura, though:

Yes, I know it does. It is in error.

 

[usagora]

Yes, I know it does. It is in error.

It didn't seem you knew earlier based on your wording ("probably not updated for Ventura"), so I was just clarifying. Thanks for your help.