Search and highlight

Hi. I would like to write a script (Javascript or IAC) that can take a wordlist (from a search on a website) and dynamically highlight those words in a PDF on the users computer. Also, I need this to work in Adobe Reader, as I do not want to require users to have Acrobat. Is this possible - and if so - can you explain the steps?
Thanks for your assistance.

Ok, this would be done by JavaScript, through the VB:JavaScript linkage. VB is a better choice but it appears that it might be possible to do this with C#, not sure.
To find positions of text you use doc.getPageNthWord and doc.getPageNthWordQuads. This gives the position of each word and NOTHING ELSE. To look for consecutive words you would need to analyse the results. Text in a PDF is not just strings with newlines, but a complicated collection of graphics; getPageNthWord assembles the graphics and uses GUESSWORK to pick word boundaries.
I believe you can also use JavaScript to add highlight annotations.
You might use the OLE API to open, save and close the framing PDF, assuming it isn't already open in Acrobat.

Similar Messages

HIGHLIGHTING WORDS AND DICTIONARIES SUPPORT - Search and highlight words in the PDF documents

One of the things that Adobe people don't understand very well, is they focus and focus and focus constantly in adding new "cool" features to the product... as more flash support... etc. etc.
But Adobe still pending to make easier the life of people that work with tons and literally tons of PDF documents.
Students, researchers, law professors, academics... they all need a solution to search and highlight in different colors, for certain words in a lot of documents.
So here we have a challenge for the Adobe folks.
Let's imagine you are working in a Law Office, ok? (you're lawyer, not programmer)
You have a trial tomorrow...
The trial is about robbery (for example)
Now you are looking for Jurisprudence (other similar cases that were judged before)...
And let's imagine you have a folder with 200 cases in 200 PDF files, talking about robbery, between the years 2005-2009
Now, let's imagine you are interested to search the words:
CONVICTION
KIDNAPPING
ASSAULT
FAILURE
CRIME
SUBPOENA
How do you do that Adobe folks?
Reading the 200 documents? one by one, having to drink all the ink of the documents, line by line...
Or, could you, please, allow Adobe Acrobat 10 can handle dictionaries of words, and allow the users, to search and highlight those words in folder of PDF documents.
Of course!!! you'll tell me, oh, you can accomplish a search of the desired words and Acrobat will search them for you in a lot of documents in a folder...
And I'll reply you! oh! that is not enough!
And do you know why?
Just simpley because I need to see all the information highlighted in a context...
If I see the word CRIME in red close to FAILURE... also in red I can see that something wrong is happening with that trial, for example...
Do you understand now that searching single words in a lot of documents is not enough, and you have to improve URGENTLY this feature?
Highlighting the words the users need to search in a folder of documents, allow INTENSIVE RESEARCH AND SAVE HOURS AND DAYS AND EVEN MONTHS OF HARD WORK TO THE USERS.
In that way, you don't have to read the whole document, you just go directly to the highlighted parts.
I've been submitting this feature since Adobe Acrobat 6!!!! No one in Adobe listened to me!!!
I sincerely don't know why these forums are opened, must be an idea of someone from marketing, because finally, Adobe don't implement any specification from the users.
I am absolutely sure, Adobe folks will present the 10 version as something pretty cool, with more flash support and more graphic stuff.
But, as always, withouth helping the real people that work extensively with large amounts of documents.
So I hope, Sirs, Madams of Adobe, please, now yes, you give support to this feature once and for all !!!
Thanks

Adobe does listen to users, but it listens to 10 users more frequently than 1 user. It listens to 1000 users more frequently than 10. Get everyone you know that works for lawyers to post the request in the Adobe wish form (where Adobe tabulates user requests).
https://www.adobe.com/cfusion/mmform/index.cfm?name=wishform
Then maybe it will appear in Acrobat 11. If it is not in Acrobat 10 by now it is probably too late in the upgrade cycle for it to get in.

Search and highlight the text

Hi All,
It would be great if someone advice or help for developing customized application for PDF document. I want make following feature in my application using .Net technology.
1. How to search the particular listed text and need Highlight that words in PDF document
2. And is it feasible to search that highlighted word alone using search custom option
3. once reached the word I want to change the background color in that word
Many thanks,
Gnanasekaran

Thank you and I have few queries:
I have Adobe Acrobat, after developed certain autoamation with VB.Net; I need to install that EXE in another system; it is require again Adobe Acrobat full version or Reader alone. Please confirm.

Desktop search engine: boolean search and highlighting hits

On Windows I had dtSearch to search the desktop (www.dtsearch.com). Is there something similar for Mac OS? I have already tried out several apps. DEVONsphere Express provides boolean search, Insider has preview, but the preview doesn't work with binary files as "DOC" etc.
DtSearch allows sophisticated boolean search and provides a very performing preview with highlighted hits. It works with many types of files, including including Office, different email-applications etc. dtSearch allows also to limit the search on a selection of folders and/or files. Unfortunately, there is apparently no Mac OS Version of dtSearch.

Some of the free or cheap seach apps match with my boolean search needs. None of them hights the hits in a preview. That's my issue: I want to have a preview with highlighted hit. I want to jump from hit to hit with lightening speed.
Now I have found out that DEVONthink Pro Office is a program for Mac which is similar to dtSearch. It costs a bit less, but also about $ 150.
DEVONthink works quite well. Only the boolean NEAR-function has to be improved. "term1 NEAR term2" highlights all the term1 and term2, not only the ones which are close to each other.

Search and highlight found sentence

I'm designing a C# console application that searches sentences in a PDF text (i.e multiple words separated by space , and may be separated by line) and a title sentence that may take more than one line .
I get the pdf text in a string then match the given sentences against them , for example i'm matching a pdf string against a title like this : "Lower leg compartment syndrome post \nappendicectomy"
the point is i need the search to allow searching the whole sentence even if it's separated by lines then highlight it when matches.. can any one help ?

Ok, this would be done by JavaScript, through the VB:JavaScript linkage. VB is a better choice but it appears that it might be possible to do this with C#, not sure.
To find positions of text you use doc.getPageNthWord and doc.getPageNthWordQuads. This gives the position of each word and NOTHING ELSE. To look for consecutive words you would need to analyse the results. Text in a PDF is not just strings with newlines, but a complicated collection of graphics; getPageNthWord assembles the graphics and uses GUESSWORK to pick word boundaries.
I believe you can also use JavaScript to add highlight annotations.
You might use the OLE API to open, save and close the framing PDF, assuming it isn't already open in Acrobat.

Search and Highlight Feature

V9.4.5: When I search for a word, phrase, number, etc., how come it only highlights that "match" on certain pages? It will still go to other pages with that particular match but it won't highlight it; I will have to read through the text to find what I'm looking for. I know that is lazy, but it helps when reading a 1400 page RFP . Thanks any and all who can shed some light on this quirk!

Awesome, thanks for this info! I knew it was a bug! I will be looking for an update.
Thanks, Jim

Text find and Highlight

I have a textbox that I am loading text from instructionsArray that gets data from a XML file. I want to search that textbox for a word that might be in the dictionaryArray that gets data from and XML file. Then I want the word if its there to be higlighted in red and be able to rollover or click the word to get a popup that shows the words definition that is also in the dictionaryArray. SO the code for all of this as I have it so far builds a rectangle backgournd and addes the textbox to it. The MA is a variable that tells what set of instuctions it is on (1, 2, etc). Everything works except the search and highlight. Is this better?
XML FILE
CODE for XML Dictionary
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<dictionary>
 <allWords>
 <word>Enzymes</word>
 <definition>Natural chemical substances found in all plant and animal tissue. In growing plants, they aid in all growth processes including maturation and ripening. After maturity, continued activity of enzymes can cause undesirable changes in color, ﬂavor and texture. Enzymes that cause these undesirable changes are destroyed during heat processing of foods.</definition>
 <visualAids>
 <image src="Flash_pictures/tn/tn_mouth.png" title="Mouth" url="Flash_pictures/mouth.png" />
 </visualAids>
 </allWords>
 <allWords>
 <word>Oxidation</word>
 <definition>Gain in oxygen or loss of electrons. Acid Foods: Foods containing natural acids, those that had vinegar added to them or those produced by controlled microbial fermentation are classiﬁed as acid foods. This food group includes fruits, tomatoes, pickles, sauerkraut and relishes. Because microorganisms do not thrive in acid, these foods can be safely processed in a water bath canner at 212 F (100 C) </definition>
 <visualAids>
 <image src="Flash_pictures/tn/tn_mouth.png" title="Mouth" url="Flash_pictures/mouth.png" />
 </visualAids>
 </allWords>
</dictionary>
CODE FOR XML INSTRUCTIONS
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<allInsturctions>
 <actInstructions>
 <name>
 act1
 </name>
 <boxtext>
 Before tomatoes enter the plant, they must be graded for quality. The quality of the tomatoes on a truckload determines how much the producer gets paid. Only grade A/B tomatoes will be used in canning. Grade C tomatoes may be used for other types of tomato food products such as juice or salsa.
 </boxtext>
 <instructions>
 <![CDATA[ Tomato Grading
Enzymes The quality grade of a tomato is based on 3 things: size, ripeness and defects. This step is only an average of the quality for the whole truck so the producer can be fairly paid. Later, every tomato will be graded both by machine and by hand before being processed.
Minimum quality requirements must be met to continue processing or you risk the final canned product getting recalled by the USDA. The estimated Grade quality for the truck is not sufficient enough. Each tomato is graded for redness by a machine where tomatoes that are too green are siphoned off for juice production. Tomatoes are also evaluated by hand so that any broken fruit can be discarded. Broken fruit will jam up the machinery and not peel properly.
 Now it is your turn to practice grading tomatoes in order to determine how much to pay the producer!
1. Take a sample of tomatoes from 3 different spots in the truckload. 2. Give each separate sample a grade of A/B, or C. 3. Then average the 3 samples together to determine how much to pay you producer and decide what finished product to use the tomatoes for.

]]>
 </instructions>
 <question>
 <![CDATA[ How would you grade this truck?]]>
 </question>
 <options>
 <a>Grade A</a>
 Grade B
 <c>Grade C</c>
 </options>
 <image src="Flash_pictures/tn/tn_mouth.png" title="Mouth" url="Flash_pictures/mouth.png" />
 <video>
 Arrival
 </video>
 </actInstructions>
</allInsturctions>
//LOAD EXTERNAL XML FILES
function loadXML():void
 XMLLoader.addEventListener(Event.COMPLETE, xmlLoadComplete);
 XMLDataRequest = new URLRequest(XMLFiles[XMLFilesPointer]);
 XMLLoader.load(XMLDataRequest);
 trace(XMLFiles[XMLFilesPointer]);
function xmlLoadComplete(e:Event):void
 XMLLoader.removeEventListener(Event.COMPLETE, xmlLoadComplete);
 var xmlData = XML(e.target.data);
 //distinguish between both xml types
 xmlData.ignoreWhitespace = true;
 if (xmlData.actInstructions != undefined)
 {//if instructions node exists, then it is instructions xml
 trace('instructions xml file');
 for (var b = 0; b < xmlData.actInstructions.length(); b++)
 instructionsArray.push({name:xmlData.actInstructions[b].name.text(), boxtext:xmlData.actInstructions[b].boxtext.text(), instructions: xmlData.actInstructions[b].instructions.text(), question: xmlData.actInstructions[b].question.text(), image: xmlData.actInstructions[b].visualAids.text(), video: xmlData.actInstructions[b].video.text() });
 if (xmlData.allWords != undefined)
 {//if movie node exists, then it is dictionary xml
 trace('dictionary xml file');
 trace(xmlData.allWords.length());
 for (var n = 0; n < xmlData.allWords.length(); n++)
 dictionaryArray.push({word: xmlData.allWords[n].word.text(), definition: xmlData.allWords[n].definition.text(), image: xmlData.allWords[n].visualAids.text() });
 XMLFilesPointer++;
 if (XMLFilesPointer < XMLFiles.length)
 loadXML();
//build display and add text
var words:Array = instructionsArray[MA].instructions.split(/\s+/);
var highlight:TextFormat = new TextFormat("Arial",14,0xff0000,null,true);
var dictionaryTimer:Timer = new Timer(100,dictionaryArray.length-1);
dictionaryTimer.addEventListener(TimerEvent.TIMER, onTimer);
dictionaryTimer.start();
function onTimer(e:TimerEvent):void
 textbox.setTextFormat(textbox.defaultTextFormat);
 var re:RegExp = new RegExp("\\b"+words[dictionaryTimer.currentCount]+"\\b", "gi");
 var result:Object = re.exec(instructionsArray[MA].instructions);
 while (result)
 textbox.setTextFormat(highlight, result.index, result.index+words[dictionaryTimer.currentCount].length);
 result = re.exec(instructionsArray[MA].instructions);
instructionsFormat.font = tomatoBasefont.fontName;
 instructionsFormat.size = 14;
 textbox.defaultTextFormat = instructionsFormat;
 textbox.multiline = true;
 textbox.htmlText = instructionsArray[MA].instructions;
 textbox.width = 778;
 textbox.height = 340;
 //Testing Dictionary Search START
 //Search instructions for words in dictionaryArray
 dictionaryTimer.addEventListener(TimerEvent.TIMER, onTimer);
 dictionaryTimer.start();
 //Testing Dictionary Search END
 i_MC.x = 180;
 i_MC.y = 160;
 i_MC.name = "instructionBox";
 // Shadow Gray color;
 qbkg_shadow.graphics.beginFill(shadowColor);
 // x, y, width, height, ellipseW, ellipseH;
 qbkg_shadow.graphics.drawRoundRect(10, 10, 788, 351, 20, 20);
 qbkg_shadow.graphics.endFill();
 // Purple Box color;
 qbkg.graphics.beginFill(boxColor);
 // x, y, width, height, ellipseW, ellipseH;
 qbkg.graphics.drawRoundRect(0, 0, 788, 351, 20, 20);
 qbkg.graphics.endFill();
 xClose.addEventListener(MouseEvent.MOUSE_DOWN, mouseClickHandler);
 xClose.x = 750;
 xClose.y = 2;
 i_MC.addChild(qbkg_shadow);
 i_MC.addChild(qbkg);
 i_MC.addChild(textbox);
 i_MC.addChild(xClose);
 addChild(i_MC);

And here is a "workable solution" - an example of how to deal with it.
This class creates roll overs and tooltips for the search term.
A lot of this code is based on what we discussed before - nothing really new.
Just place this class in to FLA directory and make this class a Document Class in Flash IDE. I don't like Flash IDE and coding on the timeline - so it is up to you to translate it into timeline code. Some aspects are commented in the code.
package
 import flash.display.Sprite;
 import flash.events.MouseEvent;
 import flash.geom.Rectangle;
 import flash.text.TextField;
 import flash.text.TextFormat;
 public class TextRollOverExample extends Sprite
 private var highlight:TextFormat = new TextFormat("Arial", 14, 0xff0000, null, true, true);
 private var originalText:String;
 private var tf:TextField;
 private var inputField:TextField;
 private var termBoundaries:Vector.<Rectangle>;
 private var _searchTerm:String;
 private var tipText:TextField;
 public function TextRollOverExample()
 init();
 private function init():void
 originalText = "I have a textfield that I am reading the content in from a XML file. Is there a way to search said textfield for a certain word from an Array? For Ex. if I have a paragraph of text in the textfield and I want to search the textfield for a word that is in an array like 'The' and underline every instance of the word can I do that?";
 tf = new TextField();
 tf.defaultTextFormat = new TextFormat("Arial", 12);
 tf.multiline = tf.wordWrap = true;
 tf.width = 300;
 tf.autoSize = "left";
 tf.text = originalText;
 tf.x = tf.y = 50;
 addChild(tf);
 searchTerm = "textfield";
 private function set searchTerm(term:String):void
 _searchTerm = term;
 tf.setTextFormat(tf.defaultTextFormat);
 var re:RegExp = new RegExp(term, "gi");
 var result:Object = re.exec(originalText);
 termBoundaries = new Vector.<Rectangle>();
 while (result)
 tf.setTextFormat(highlight, result.index, result.index + term.length);
 // get term boundaries and push them into collection of all related boundaries
 termBoundaries.push(tf.getCharBoundaries(result.index).union(tf.getCharBoundaries(result.index + term.length)));
 result = re.exec(originalText);
 drawHotSpots();
 private function drawHotSpots():void
 // create hot spots for all
 for each (var rect:Rectangle in termBoundaries)
 hotSpot = rect;
 private function set hotSpot(rect:Rectangle):void
 var s:Sprite = new Sprite();
 s.buttonMode = s.useHandCursor = true;
 s.addEventListener(MouseEvent.MOUSE_OVER, onHotSpotInteraction);
 s.addEventListener(MouseEvent.MOUSE_OUT, onHotSpotInteraction);
 s.graphics.beginFill(0xff0000, 0);
 s.graphics.drawRect(0, 0, rect.width, rect.height);
 addChild(s);
 // position hotspot over corresponding word
 s.x = tf.x + rect.x;
 s.y = tf.y + rect.y;
 private function onHotSpotInteraction(e:MouseEvent):void
 switch (e.type)
 case MouseEvent.MOUSE_OVER:
 drawTooltip(_searchTerm, Sprite(e.currentTarget));
 break;
 case MouseEvent.MOUSE_OUT:
 killToolTip();
 break;
 private function drawTooltip(term:String, target:Sprite):void
 killToolTip();
 tipText = new TextField();
 tipText.defaultTextFormat = new TextFormat("Arial", 11, 0x008000);
 tipText.width = 100;
 tipText.border = true;
 tipText.background = true;
 tipText.borderColor = 0x808080;
 tipText.autoSize = "left";
 tipText.multiline = tipText.wordWrap = true;
 tipText.text = "This thingy describes what " + term + " is.";
 addChild(tipText);
 tipText.x = target.x;
 tipText.y = target.y + target.height + 2;
 private function killToolTip():void
 if (tipText)
 if (this.contains(tipText))
 removeChild(tipText);
 tipText = null;

Bing does not appear in add ons or in the search engine list or control panel, in fact there is no reference to it on my computer, yet still, it has hijacked my search and the normally very useful 'highlight, right click, open search in a new tab'

Bing does not appear in add ons or in the search engine list or control panel, in fact there is no reference to it on my computer, yet still, it has hijacked my search and the normally very useful 'highlight, right click, open search in a new tab'

Install, update, and run these programs in this order. They are all free for personal use, but some have limited functionality in the "free mode" - but those are features you really don't need to find and remove the problem that you have. '''(Not all programs detect the same Malware.)'''
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware - [http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php]
SuperAntispyware - [http://www.superantispyware.com/]
AdAware - [http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/]
Spybot Search & Destroy - [http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html]
If these don't find it or can't clear it, post in one of these forums for specialized malware removal help:
[http://www.spywarewarrior.com/index.php]
[http://forum.aumha.org/]
[http://www.spywareinfoforum.com/]
[http://bleepingcomputer.com]

Does Adobe Viewer on iPad support Search, Bookmark and Highlight Text?

I would like to know if the Adobe Viewer for the iPad support the Search, Bookmark and Highlight Text features.... Or if some of these features are planned to be developed later and when.
Thanks for your quick answer.

Not yet. Those features are on the roadmap, but I can't offer an estimated time.

In a Google search, clicking on a search result causes the new page to open with the search terms highlighted in yellow -- how can I turn off th

In a Google search within a Firefox session, clicking on a search result causes the new page to open with the search terms highlighted in yellow -- how can I turn off this highlighting?

Try to clear the Google cookies and redo those Google options.
* "Remove the Cookies" from sites causing problems: Tools > Options > Privacy > Cookies: "Show Cookies"

I inadvertently typed in a wrong account number which now shows up in the Account # drop down box. Is there some way that I can clear this (or all) entry and still let Firefix remember search and form entry? Thanks Mike Callahan

The Scottrade web sight requires an account number as well as a password to log in. I inadvertently typed in an incorrect number and would like to eliminate it from the 'remembered' accounts. My only solution seems to be to turn off Remember Search and Form Entry but that impacts the correct account numbers and all other web sites as well.

Click the (empty) input field on the web page to open the drop down list
Highlight an entry in the drop down list
Press the Delete key (on Mac: Shift+Delete) to remove it.
http://kb.mozillazine.org/Deleting_autocomplete_entries
Firefox/Tools > Options > Privacy > Firefox will: "Use custom settings for history" > "Remember search and form history"
https://support.mozilla.com/kb/Form+autocomplete

Search and Replace in Pages 5

Search and Replace in Pages is now seriously regressive. Previously I could search for "invisibles" in a document and globally replace the search "invisible" by a replace one. Now I can't find a way of doing that. Any suggestions?

Try this:
Turn on Show Invisibles in the View menu.
Select (highlight) the double para breaks.
Use Command-E (Find using selected text).
Open the Find dialogue box (Command-F) and select Find & Replace.The selected para breaks will be in the Find text entry box, but will not be visible!
Click in the Replace text entry box.
Select (highlight) a single para break.
Go to the Edit menu / Find and select 'Use selection for replace' (it will not show in the Replace entry box).
In the Find & Replace dialogue box, click on the Forward or Back arrows to highlight the selected items (e.g. double para break) where you wish to start replacing in the document.
Use the Replace All / Replace & Find / Replace buttons as per usual.
Not a nice solution, but I hope it gets you going until Apple restores the previous functionality!

Creating Electronic Binders Using PDF Portfolio - Commenting and Highlighting

For a few years now I have been using Portfolios to create electronic versions of binders. Users want to be able to review, search, highlight and comment within the PDFs - and each have a copy with their comments. Security is also a big deal. My main question is: Is using Adobe Portfolios the best solution for making an electronic binder, or does Adobe or another vendor offer a better one? Recently I saw a product called GDoc Binder that looks promising. For now using the Portfolios is the best solution I know of.
Problems with the current solution: Right now I have to create multiple copies of the document to allow users to comment and highlight on their own copy. File size can be problematic - if it's too big searching can take a long time even after I index the file. Updating and adding sections is problematic since if you update a page or file you could lose their comments, and so I have to update multiple copies of the same file. I know you can export and import comments but that can be complex/time consuming. One question I have: Is there a search and/or report on comments and highlights from the full Portfolio rather than just one at a time?
Since Adobe Pro X I have had to use a custom template from PracticalPDF.com to recreate the list navigation of Adobe Pro 9. I did see another post saying that the use of Flash with Portfolios mean that it's day are numbered. Question: I am curious if this is true, and if Portfolios using Flash are becoming obsolete, what Adobe Pro would use for an alternative?
Thank you in advance for any insight and answers - it is greatly appreciated.

Take a look at the free 'CoolList' layout from Joel Geraci : http://blog.practicalpdf.com/portfolios/

Is there any "Search and Replace" option in Crystal Reports?

Is there any option to search and replace in Crystal Reports. Since i am using a name in many of the formulas in crystal reports. I need to replace with the desired name on the go.
Could anyone help me on this....

Search & Replace across formulas is not available in CR XI but is available in CR 2008. Here is an excerpt from the CR 2008 Users Guide:
Searching for formula text
You can use the Find dialog box to carry out a number of different activities:
u2022 Search for text or characters in the Field, Function, or Operator trees.
u2022 Search for text or characters that you want to mark or replace in the
formula, Custom Function, or SQL Expression that you have open.
u2022 Search for text or characters across all SQL Expressions in a report.
u2022 Search for text or characters across all formulas and Custom Functions
in a report.
When you search for text across all formulas, the results appear in a pane
at the bottom of the Formula Workshop. (You can dock the results pane in
other locations). When you click an item in the results pane, Crystal Reports
opens the appropriate formula and highlights the matching text.
Tip: You can open the Formula Workshop to search across all formulas
from the Field Explorer and from the body of a report. To do this, select a
formula field, right-click it, and choose the "Find in Formulas" option.

WebHelp: opening a topic with search results highlighted

Hello! I am using an external search engine to index a large documentation set, including some WebHelp output. I would like for the returned results to open matching WebHelp topics with the matching search terms highlighted. Is there a supported URL pattern for this, or does anyone in this forum have experience using additional JavaScript to do this? I'm happy to code it into a master page, but recommendations for a good starting JS library would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Jason

It will depend entirely on the search engine you use. I have used ZoomSearch and what you want can be set up there using code provided by ZoomSearch. You will need to approach whoever supplied your engine.
See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips
@petergrainge

Search and highlight

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for