What is an easy way to search phrases in pdf, MSword files?

ufmale · 02-02-2008, 11:41 PM

I am looking for an easy way to search for a phrase in pdf, ps, or Msword files. Something quick and easy like "grep".
Does anyone know any tool to do so?

MyHeartPumpsFreon · 02-03-2008, 08:44 AM

Um... grep? I think you answered your own question there.

Brandon

ufmale · 02-03-2008, 11:32 AM

I was using grep, but it did not seem to work since those pdf and MsWord are binary.
Are there any option i should provide to the "grep" to read pdf?

MyHeartPumpsFreon · 02-03-2008, 03:19 PM

I think the -a switch can output binary to text. Try it and let us know how it goes.

Code:

grep -a 'string' /location/of/file

Brandon

PTrenholme · 02-03-2008, 03:37 PM

Alternatively, for the ps and pdf files use pfdtxt <pdf file> | grep <phrase> or ps2ascii <ps file> | grep <phrase>.
For the M$ Word documents you could try catdoc <word file> | grep <phrase>.