How To Index Article Attachments In Searches
Enable search indexing for PDF attachments to improve search accuracy in your Knowledge Base
Written by Amanda Stançani
Updated at September 22nd, 2025
Helpjuice allows you to extend search functionality within your knowledge base by indexing not only the article's title, subtitle, text, and keywords, but also the content of attached PDF files. By enabling this feature, users will be able to find relevant information within the text of attached PDFs when performing searches in your knowledge base.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- How to enable article attachments indexing
- Important considerations when using this feature
- Best practices for managing indexed attachments
How to Enable Article Attachments Indexing
- Click on your Profile Picture
- Go to Settings > Article Settings.
- Toggle on the option for Index Article Attachments In Searches.
- Click Save Changes.
Once enabled, the content of attached PDF files will be indexed and included in search results.
Important Notes About Indexing PDF Attachments
Previously Attached PDF Files: PDF files that were attached to articles before you enabled this feature will not automatically be indexed. To make them searchable, you will need to republish the article.
Partial Indexing for Large PDFs: Due to size limitations, Helpjuice indexes only the first 7KB of text from your PDF attachments. Images within PDFs are not indexed, so only text content is searchable.
Best Practices
- Republish Articles: After enabling this feature, republish articles with existing PDF attachments to ensure their content is indexed.
- Monitor Search Results: Regularly check search results to ensure that PDF content is being indexed and displayed correctly.
- Optimize PDF Content: Ensure that PDF attachments are well-structured and contain searchable text to improve search accuracy.