Why can't I find a document?

If a search misses a document you're sure is there, it's almost always one of these, and each has a quick fix.

• It's still processing. A freshly uploaded scan is searchable only once it reaches ready. Check Admin → Processing, and give a big PDF a moment.
• The text lives in a custom field. A keyword covers a document's title, filename, contents, and note body, not custom-field values. Use the field operator (invoiceno:123) or the Field filter.
• You're matching a tag or category as a word. Those aren't free text, use tag: / category: or the filter chips.
• The language wasn't recognized. If a document is in a language your default OCR set doesn't cover, set the right language on that document and it re-reads. See OCR languages and office formats.
• The scan is too faint. Very low-contrast or skewed photos read poorly. Re-shoot on a flat, evenly lit surface, see Scanning paper documents.
• It's in the Trash. Trashed documents drop out of search until you restore them.