Configuring iFilter for PDF Search in SharePoint 2010 – Step by Step

What is iFilter by the way?

IFilters are components that allow SharePoint to index content of specific file types, letting users search for content in those files. Using the SharePoint Search we can find documents based on their filename, metadata, or content within a document. By default, the content of Office documents is indexed by the SharePoint crawler, but PDF files are not crawled.

To add support for PDF files you have to add an I-Filter which the SharePoint crawler uses to read through PDF files and add the information to the search index. There are two steps in configuring PDF Search IFilters for SharePoint:

  1. Install the PDF iFilter
  2. Configure the iFilter

Installing IFilter

The Installation of the iFilter 9.0 has to be done on the Index Server(s). How to install ifilter in SharePoint 2010? Download  and install the iFilter installation file for 64-bit machine from https://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=4025

Configuring iFilter for PDF Search in SharePoint 2010

Choose the location for the installation files to reside and complete the installation by clicking Install and finish the installation wizard.

install ifilter on sharepoint 2010

Configuring iFilter

I. On WFE Server(s):

  1. Download PDF icon picture (17×17) from Adobe web site https://www.adobe.com/misc/linking.html and Copy to C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Web Server Extensions\14\TEMPLATE\IMAGES\
  2. pdf ifilter on sharepoint 2010

2. Add an entry in docicon.xml

Backup the docicon.xml file, and Add an entry in docicon.xml for the PDF icon: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Web Server Extensions\14\TEMPLATE\XML

<Mapping Key=”pdf” Value=”pdficon17.gif”>

Above Steps are done in order to have the PDF icon in SharePoint search results. Add PDF file type on the File Type page under Search Service

Open SharePoint Central Administration >> General Application Settings >> Farm Search Administration add pdf search to sharepoint 2010       

Click on Search Service Application

sharepoint 2010 search service pdf

Click on File Types to add PDF extension for SharePoint 2010

sharepoint 2010 search file types pdf

Add new File Type extension “PDF” to set up IFilter for SharePoint 2010

sharepoint search server 2010 pdf

Enter file extension as pdf and click OK and get out from Central Administration

pdf search sharepoint 2010

II.    On Index Server(s)

  • Open Regedit and go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office Server\14.0\Search\Setup\Filters
  • Right-click the Filters folder and select New Key. Enter “.pdf” for the key value.
sharepoint 2010 pdf ifilter registry change
  • Add the following values:
  • <REG_SZ> Default = <value not set>
  • <REG_SZ> Extension = pdf
  • <REG_DWORD> FileTypeBucket = 1
  • <REG_SZ> MimeTypes = application/pdf
sharepoint 2010 pdf ifilter registry

Associate the iFilter by following below steps:

  • Open Regedit
  • Navigate to the following location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office Server\14.0\Search\Setup\ContentIndexCommon\Filters\Extension
  • Right-click > Click New > Key to create a new key for .pdf
  • Add the following GUID in the default value {E8978DA6-047F-4E3D-9C78-CDBE46041603}
pdf search in sharepoint 2010

Restart all SharePoint services as well as IIS

· Restart the SharePoint Server Search 14

how to install ifilter sharepoint 2010

Or Execute the below commands:

  • Net Stop OSearch14
  • Net Start OSearch14

· Reboot the SharePoint servers in Farm

· Perform FULL Crawl to get search result.

To allow PDF’s to open in the browser

  • Navigate  to Central Administration >> Application Management
  • Select the appropriate web application (you may have to repeat these steps if you have multiple web apps) then click on General Settings in the Ribbon
  • Scroll down to “Browser File Handling” and set this to Permissive
  • Click the OK button.  (Repeat the last two steps for additional web apps)

Unit Testing:

Create a document library upload any sample PDF document(s). Once the full crawl is completed we will get search results.

pdf search on sharepoint 2010

Related Article: IFilter alternatives to the native PDF parser

Salaudeen Rajack

Salaudeen Rajack - Information Technology Expert with Two-decades of hands-on experience, specializing in SharePoint, PowerShell, Microsoft 365, and related products. He has held various positions including SharePoint Architect, Administrator, Developer and consultant, has helped many organizations to implement and optimize SharePoint solutions. Known for his deep technical expertise, He's passionate about sharing the knowledge and insights to help others, through the real-world articles!

8 thoughts on “Configuring iFilter for PDF Search in SharePoint 2010 – Step by Step

  • Is this GUID E8978DA6-047F-4E3D-9C78-CDBE46041603} same form all.
    If different, how to get this?

    Reply
    • Well, that’s the GUID for Adobe IFilter as per https://support.microsoft.com/kb/2518465. If you use some other IFilters, like Foxit – This will vary!

      Reply
  • I tried this solution Salaudeen and I get object not found for PDF file types as the error in my Crawl log…any ideas?

    Reply
  • Hello,

    I try this tutorial and the result I lost all my docx, xlsx icon.
    have you any idea ?

    Reply
  • Hi, i am unable to open a pdf file from document library in SP2010 the dialog box shows Save option but not the open option. I tried changing the Web Application settings from “Strict” to “Permissive”.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *