Search not finding files

Overview

Search looks across available names and extracted text in your current case context. Weak OCR, typos, or searching the wrong case are the most common reasons something “should” appear but does not.

Why this feature exists

Fast retrieval keeps preparation moving when you remember a phrase but not the filename.

Symptoms

• Known phrase returns no results
• Filename search fails
• Results miss a document you can open manually

Likely causes

• OCR did not extract the phrase cleanly
• Query spelling differs from the document
• Wrong case or filters applied
• File still processing
• Handwriting or image-only content

Step-by-step

1. 1

   Simplify the query

   Search one distinctive word (a name, order number, or unique term) instead of a full sentence.

2. 2

   Try the filename

   Search a fragment of the original file name from Add Documents.

3. 3

   Confirm processing finished

   Newly uploaded files may not be searchable until extraction completes.

4. 4

   Open Evidence and scan manually

   Sort by recent uploads to locate the file, then improve OCR with a clearer re-scan if needed.

5. 5

   Ask Sera with context

   Ask Sera where a topic appears; she can help you navigate even when keyword search is thin.

Best practices

• Prefer clear digital PDFs for materials you will search often.
• Rename camera uploads before adding them.

Productivity tips

• Save important exhibits under Topics so you rely less on recall search.

Common mistakes

• Searching Case A for a file uploaded to Case B.
• Using long quoted phrases that OCR slightly misspelled.

When to contact support

Contact support if fully processed text PDFs never appear in search across multiple distinctive queries in the correct case.

Frequently asked questions

Screenshots

Helpful links

• Evidence
• Ask Sera
• Topics

Related articles

• OCR problems

  Improve text extraction when scans are unreadable, empty, or poorly recognized.

• Missing documents

  Locate files that seem to disappear after upload, case switches, or Move to Trash.

• How accurate is OCR?

  OCR works best on clear, upright, high-contrast scans. Blurry photos and handwriting reduce accuracy.

• Slow processing

  Understand why organization takes time and what you can do while Sera works.