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Lectra can find a word anywhere in your library: in document titles and folder names, in the text of your PDFs, in text boxes you typed, and in your handwriting and scans. You can also search inside a single document and jump straight to the page.

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Search your whole library

1

Open search

In the library toolbar, tap Search. On a narrow window, tap •••, then tap Search. With a keyboard, press ⇧ ⌘ F from anywhere in Lectra.
2

Type what you're looking for

In Search documents, folders, actions…, type a word or phrase. Results appear as you type.
3

Open a result

Tap a result. If the match is inside a document, the document opens on that page.
To close search, tap esc. Each result has a tag:
  • Page Text: the words appear on a page. The result shows the page number and the words around the match.
  • Metadata: the match is in the document’s title or folder name.
Before you type, search shows Recently Opened documents and quick Actions: New notebook, Scan document, Import PDF, and Open Inbox. To clear the recent list, tap Clear.

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How matching works

  • Lectra finds the exact phrase you type, or every word you type in any order.
  • Capital letters and accents don’t matter. “Cafe” finds “Café”.
  • Words shorter than two letters are ignored unless they’re part of an exact phrase.

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What library search looks in

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Search inside one document

1

Open search

In the editor, tap the search button (Search This PDF) in the top bar, or tap More actions > Search This PDF. With a keyboard, press ⌘ F.
2

Type a word or phrase

In Search pages, type what you’re looking for. Lectra lists each page with a match, with the words around it.
3

Go to a match

Tap a result to jump to that page. Matches in handwriting and scans are highlighted on the page.
Tap Done to close search. You can also start a search from selected PDF text: select the text, then tap Find in Document.
Search inside a document looks in the PDF’s text, your handwriting, and scanned pages. It doesn’t look in typed text boxes. To find typed text, use library search. Search shows up to 40 matching pages.

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How Lectra reads handwriting and scans

Lectra recognizes the words in your handwriting and on scanned pages on your iPad. Nothing is sent anywhere to do this, and it works whether or not Apple Intelligence is on.
  • Handwriting is read after the document saves, for example when you go back to the library.
  • Scans and image-only PDFs are read after you first open them in the editor.
  • Reading runs while Lectra is open, and pauses while you write. It slows down when your iPad is warm or in Low Power Mode.
  • Words Lectra isn’t confident about are left out, so very messy handwriting may not be found.
There’s no progress indicator. In grid view, a scan that Lectra hasn’t read yet shows a small text icon on its thumbnail.
Recognized text also travels with your exports. When you share a document as a PDF, other apps can search your handwriting and scanned pages too.

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Search from outside Lectra

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Spotlight

Your Lectra documents appear in iPad Spotlight search, including the words on their pages. Swipe down on the Home Screen, type a word, and tap a Lectra result to open the document. Documents in Recently Deleted don’t appear.

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Siri and Shortcuts

Say “Search my Lectra library” or “Search my notes in Lectra”. In the Shortcuts app, use the Search Library action. You can also touch and hold the Lectra app icon and tap Search Library.

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Search favorites

In Favorites, the Search favorites and recents field filters starred and recently opened documents by title.

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Troubleshooting

Go back to the library so the document saves, then wait a moment with Lectra open. Neat, connected handwriting is recognized best.
Open the scan in the editor at least once, then leave Lectra open for a moment so it can read the pages.
Search inside a document doesn’t look in text boxes. Use library search instead.
Use ⇧ ⌘ F to open library search from a keyboard.