Find Text in an Open DWF File

You can quickly locate text in an open DWF file by searching for tabular data, markups, text on 2D sheets, objects, sheet names, and their properties. Found results are shown in a convenient list, enabling you to click a result to display the found text or associated object on the canvas or in a palette.

By default, the entire DWF file is searched for the term you enter in the Find drop-down list. You can narrow your search by clicking the Advanced Search button in the Find palette.

• Find Whole Words Only. Find only whole words that match the text in the Find drop-down list. For example, if you select Find Whole Words Only and search for bolt, Find does not locate the text string bolts or bolted. When the search term contains spaces or punctuation, the Find Whole Words Only option is disabled.
• Use Wildcards. Find all text that contains a known portion of a word. The question mark (?) wildcard enables you to find words containing an unknown single character. For example w?re finds wire and ware. The asterisk (*) wildcard enables you to find words containing an unknown string of characters. For example, l*t finds lift and last. When Use Wildcards is selected, the Match Case and Find Whole Words Only options are disabled.
• Match Case. Find only text that matches the capitalization used in the Find drop-down list.
• Find In. Find text in particular locations. Select the type of content being searched: All, Current Model or Sheet, Current Table, Markups, Models, Sheets, Tables.

Hidden Text

In some cases, when a DWF file is published, a font is published as geometry. Consequently, although content appears to be text in the DWF file, it is not. As a result, geometric representations of text are not found.

Another instance when text may not be found is when PDF and image files are opened in Design Review. All text and geometry in the source file is rasterized in the resultant DWF file. Consequently, text in such files cannot be searched.

In other cases, Design Review may be unable to locate text accurately. On those occasions, a light blue “A” icon is shown in the Results list and an indicator is shown on the canvas the general area on the sheet where text is found. This indicator is not printed, and is only visible while the Find palette is open.

Hidden text indicator