> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.apryse.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.apryse.com/web/get-started/guides/features/search/text-search.md).

# Search for text in a PDF using JavaScript

Learn how to search for text in a PDF using regular expressions and apply link annotations on highlighted results. Full code sample included! The Apryse Web SDK streamlines secure, serverless document

{% hint style="warning" %}
Make sure you have [Full API enabled in WebViewer.](/web/what-is-webviewer/full-api.md)
{% endhint %}

To search for text in a PDF using regular expression and then apply a link annotation on the highlighted result.

{% hint style="info" %}
In this example, we add a link annotation but any other types of annotations can be applied here such as redaction annotations in the case of a search and redact workflow.
{% endhint %}

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="JavaScript" %}
{% code lineNumbers="true" %}

```js
async function main() {
  const doc = await PDFNet.PDFDoc.createFromURL(filename);
  const txtSearch = await PDFNet.TextSearch.create();
  let mode = PDFNet.TextSearch.Mode.e_whole_word + PDFNet.TextSearch.Mode.e_page_stop; // Uses both whole word and page stop
  let pattern = '';

  //use regular expression to find credit card number
  mode += PDFNet.TextSearch.Mode.e_reg_expression + PDFNet.TextSearch.Mode.e_highlight;
  txtSearch.setMode(mode);
  pattern = '\\d{4}-\\d{4}-\\d{4}-\\d{4}'; // or "(\\d{4}-){3}\\d{4}"
  txtSearch.setPattern(pattern);

  //call Begin() method to initialize the text search.
  txtSearch.begin(doc, pattern, mode);
  const result = await txtSearch.run();

  if (result.code === PDFNet.TextSearch.ResultCode.e_found) {
    // add a link annotation based on the location of the found instance
    hlts = result.highlights;
    await hlts.begin(doc);
    while (await hlts.hasNext()) {
      const curPage = await doc.getPage(await hlts.getCurrentPageNumber());
      const quadArr = await hlts.getCurrentQuads();
      for (let i = 0; i < quadArr.length; ++i) {
        const currQuad = quadArr[i];
        const x1 = Math.min(Math.min(Math.min(currQuad.p1x, currQuad.p2x), currQuad.p3x), currQuad.p4x);
        const x2 = Math.max(Math.max(Math.max(currQuad.p1x, currQuad.p2x), currQuad.p3x), currQuad.p4x);
        const y1 = Math.min(Math.min(Math.min(currQuad.p1y, currQuad.p2y), currQuad.p3y), currQuad.p4y);
        const y2 = Math.max(Math.max(Math.max(currQuad.p1y, currQuad.p2y), currQuad.p3y), currQuad.p4y);

        const hyperLink = await PDFNet.LinkAnnot.create(doc, await PDFNet.Rect.init(x1, y1, x2, y2));
        await hyperLink.setAction(await PDFNet.Action.createURI(doc, 'http://www.apryse.com'));
        await curPage.annotPushBack(hyperLink);
      }
      hlts.next();
    }
  }
}
PDFNet.runWithCleanup(main);
```

{% endcode %}
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

[Search PDF files for text](/web/get-started/samples.md#textsearch) Full code sample which shows how to use TextSearch to search text on PDF pages using regular expressions.


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters:

```
GET https://docs.apryse.com/web/get-started/guides/features/search/text-search.md?ask=<question>&goal=<user_goal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.