Split a PDF Wherever a Keyword Appears
Start a new file at every page that contains a word or phrase you enter, using the PDF's text layer. Free, no sign-up, and your files never leave your device.
Free, with no sign-up and no watermark. The file is processed in your browser and never uploaded.
Split a long PDF wherever a word or phrase appears. Every page that contains your phrase starts a new file, which is ideal for statements, invoice runs and mail-merged letters that all begin with the same heading.
This works on the PDF's text layer. Scanned pages without real text need Searchable PDF (OCR) first.
Step by step
- Upload the PDF: Choose a document that contains the repeating phrase.
- Enter the phrase: Type it into Keyword that begins each new part — for example "Invoice No." or "Dear".
- Choose case sensitivity: Leave Case sensitive off to match regardless of capitals, or tick it to match exactly.
- Split: Click Split by Text. You get a ZIP with one PDF per section (or a single PDF if only one section results).
Handy for
Invoice batches
An accounting export with 200 invoices in one file becomes 200 separate invoices.
Mail merges
Split merged letters at each "Dear" so every recipient gets their own file.
Payslips
Separate a month's payslips at the employee header.
Exam papers
Break a compiled booklet at each "Question Paper" title.
Good to know
Pick a phrase that appears only once per section, on its first page — a running header on every page would split every page.
Any pages before the first match are kept together as the first file.
If nothing is found, the tool tells you; check spelling or try a shorter phrase.
Questions
Are my files uploaded anywhere?
No. The file is read and processed by JavaScript running in your browser tab. Nothing is sent to a server, and the result is created on your device.
Why doesn't it find text I can see?
The page may be a scanned image with no text layer, or the text may be stored in an unusual way. Run Searchable PDF (OCR) and try again.
Can I match a pattern instead of exact text?
Not currently — the phrase is matched literally, with optional case sensitivity.
Does the phrase have to be at the top of the page?
No. A page is a split point if the phrase appears anywhere on it.
More Organise PDF tools
- Split PDF by Chapter Bookmarks — Cut a PDF into one file per top-level bookmark, each named after its chapter and zipped in reading order.
- Cut PDF Pages in Two — Cut every page into left and right or top and bottom halves, so scanned book spreads become single pages.
- Split PDF to a Size Limit — Divide a PDF into consecutive parts that each stay under a size you choose, such as 5 MB for email.
- Compress PDF — Shrink a PDF by downscaling and re-encoding its images, leaving text and fonts intact; can aim for a target size in KB.
- Reorder PDF Pages — Drag page thumbnails to reorder a PDF, rotate or delete single pages, or reverse the whole document.
- Rotate PDF Pages — Turn single pages or all pages in 90° steps and save the new orientation into the file permanently.