PDF Content Search
Standalone app

PDF Content Search

Search inside scanned files

From $6.99/month. PDF Content Search app only.

  • Mac


  • Version 1.38


  • macOS 14.0 or later


  • 34.8 MB


  • 23 languages

PDF Content Search is a document search app for Mac that reads what Spotlight can't. Point it at a folder, and it finds text in scanned PDFs, photos, screenshots, and Mail attachments. Type a word, get the document, and jump to the exact page. No more opening files one by one to hunt for that one IBAN.

  • Search scanned PDFs and images

  • Find text in Mail attachments

  • Find invoices and contract numbers

  • Filter a decade of files by date

PDF Content Search features


Scanned files, finally searchable

To macOS, a scanned invoice is just a picture. PDF Content Search reads the text inside it, so you can find it like any other document. It works on scanned PDFs, photos, screenshots, and plain text files. Text recognition runs on your Mac, and the index updates when your files change.


Apple Mail in the same search

Subjects, message bodies, and attachment contents show up right next to your files. Open an attachment straight from a result. Or reveal the original message in Mail with one keystroke.


Search that gets what you mean

Type "Mueller" and it finds "Müller" too. Accents and umlauts just work. Partial word search helps with those very long German compound words. The app is available in 23 languages.


Office and iWork, covered

Word, Excel, Pages, Numbers, and Keynote files get indexed too. Your whole archive lives in one search box. These files are parsed by the app's own service, which is included with Setapp at no extra cost.


Date filters and highlighted previews

Narrow a decade of paperwork down to a single quarter. Then open the preview, where matches are highlighted. You'll see right away why a document came up.


Easy to start, private by design

Choose a folder, let the first analysis finish, and search. Scanned PDFs, images, and text files never leave your Mac. It's built for freelancers, households, and small offices with years of scans.

Get hundreds of apps with Membership

Become Setapp member and use hundreds of stellar apps with one subscription.
Try 7 days free, then pay one simple fee.

  1. Install Setapp on Mac

    Explore apps for Mac, iOS, and web. Find easy ways to solve daily tasks.

    Setapp user interface image
  2. Get the app you came for

    That one shiny app is waiting inside Setapp. Install with a click.

    Setapp user interface imagePDF Content Search app icon

    PDF Content Search

  3. Choose your subscription

    One app or more with a Setapp membership. Get apps the way you want.

    Setapp user interface image

Get hundreds of apps with Membership

Become Setapp member and use hundreds of stellar apps with one subscription.
Try 7 days free, then pay one simple fee.

  1. 1

    Install Setapp on Mac

    Explore apps for Mac, iOS, and web. Find easy ways to solve daily tasks.

    Setapp user interface image
  2. 2

    Get the app you came for

    That one shiny app is waiting inside Setapp. Install with a click.

    Setapp user interface imagePDF Content Search app icon

    PDF Content Search

  3. 3

    Choose your subscription

    One app or more with a Setapp membership. Get apps the way you want.

    Setapp user interface image
One simple monthly fee. Hundreds of apps.

Why you can trust Setapp

Safe and delightful app experience is our mission. Only apps with excellent reputation and stable performance can join Setapp.

Learn more

ISO-certified company

Setapp is made by MacPaw, a trusted company with ISO 27001 certification.

Be confident apps are safe

All Setapp apps were notarized by Apple, no malware was found.

Rely on reviews and ratings

Choose apps based on honest opinions of your fellow Setappians.

PDF Content Search
Standalone app

PDF Content Search

Search inside scanned files

From $6.99/month. PDF Content Search app only.