How do I search for text inside a PDF?

Is it possible to do text search ("find") using regular expressions in any PDF viewer?

• Answer:

  Acrobat Pro has two ways to use Regular Expressions for finding text. However, both require some understanding of the matter: a) Enumerating words using JavaScript (getPageNthWord() method), and then apply the test with the Regular Expression and mark the match. You also can have a custom Plug-in made which would do this kind of search. b) Using the Redaction tool, but you will have to expand the selection of Regular Expressions manually in a Preference file. If you have to do such searches regularly, you should look at the Redax plug-in by Appligent (this is the industry standard tool for Redaction). If you are using the Redaction method, don't forget to go all through with the Redaction, because if so, you would lose a lot of data…