Searching on Exported PDFs
The searchability of exported PDFs depends on your database type. NextGen databases support word-level searching that aligns with modern ESI protocol requirements, while Legacy databases support page-level searching.
Which database should I follow?
If you see the
badge next to your database name, follow the
NextGen Database tab below. Otherwise, switch to the
Legacy Database tab.
PDFs exported from NextGen databases are searchable at the word level.
When you search for a term using Ctrl + F (PC) or Command + F (Mac), the exact word or phrase is highlighted directly on the page image where it appears.
This level of precision aligns with contemporary ESI protocols that require exact term identification rather than page-level approximations, making it easier to locate and verify specific content within exported documents.
PDFs exported from Legacy databases are searchable at the page level.
These PDFs are image-based—each page is effectively a picture rather than selectable text. As a result, searching for a word using Ctrl + F (PC) or Command + F (Mac) will navigate you to the correct page, but may not highlight the specific word on that page.
Suggested Workflow for Legacy Database Exports
To enable word-level search highlighting for Legacy database exports, include text files in your export template.
This provides an alternative search method where searched text will be highlighted when viewed in a text editor.
Note
When configuring your export template, use a unique naming identifier (such as Nextpoint ID or Bates numbers, when applicable) for all exported files—including images, search text, and natives. This ensures files are easy to identify and remain correctly aligned across file types.
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