For one PDF file, command-F opens an unusual "Find" window
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I haven't seen anything like this before. I downloaded [this paywalled article](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0079642520300013) from a university library WiFi (that I don't often use).
Later, opened the article in Preview, and when I tried to search for a word by typing command-F a new window opened up for finding text. I have never seen this happen before!
[](https://i.sstatic.net/bZHs2BEU.png)
Until today, this is what always happened; the usual magnifying glass box expands and the cursor moves to there ready for me to type the search term.
It is still available if I click there manually, it's just that command-F has unexpected behavior (for me) for this document.
[](https://i.sstatic.net/f5I5kom6.png)
I'm concerned - has something in the PDF "hijacked" Preview? Might it be trying to sending my search terms back to the publisher for statistical analysis?
MacBook Air 2020 Core i5
macOS: Sonoma 14.7.2
Preview: Version 11.0 (1056.5.1)
Asked by uhoh
(1877 rep)
Aug 7, 2025, 10:33 AM
Last activity: Aug 7, 2025, 12:55 PM
Last activity: Aug 7, 2025, 12:55 PM