---
title: File Viewer and Keyword Search
description: How to use File Viewer to search keywords in project files, annotate files, download files, and preview files.
---

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# File Viewer and Keyword Search

## How to Access, Search, and Annotate Project Files

<iframe src="https://watchclueso.com/embed/djqxir15j0p1sczj" style="position: absolute; top: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%; border-width: medium; border-style: none; border-color: currentcolor; border-image: none;" allow="fullscreen; autoplay; picture-in-picture" width="256" height="NaN"></iframe>

Project files are packed with crucial details for your bids and workflow. Here’s how to find, search, and mark up these documents to keep your team in sync and nothing missed.

**Step 1:** Open your project from either the **project finder** or your **bid board** by clicking the project name.

![](https://usercontent.us.prod.clueso.io/cb1eec54-ce60-4478-88c6-e890ec0f0a12/54abaafa-fab6-41a8-b891-869c10ea48a9/9207ba44-80a9-47aa-bc84-adc5097afce2/images/da012720-844e-4251-981a-715cf441e0e5.gif)

**Step 2:** On the project overview page, select the **Files** tab.

![](https://usercontent.us.prod.clueso.io/cb1eec54-ce60-4478-88c6-e890ec0f0a12/54abaafa-fab6-41a8-b891-869c10ea48a9/9207ba44-80a9-47aa-bc84-adc5097afce2/images/a34de4e9-9f52-473b-b16d-1ae7ca00ffb1.png)

**Step 3:** Browse the list of files shared by the general contractor.

![](https://usercontent.us.prod.clueso.io/cb1eec54-ce60-4478-88c6-e890ec0f0a12/54abaafa-fab6-41a8-b891-869c10ea48a9/9207ba44-80a9-47aa-bc84-adc5097afce2/images/b2e89cf8-6647-4ccf-b9de-578acc01f42d.png)

**Step 4:** To download a file, hover over its row, slide to the right, and click the **download icon**.

![](https://usercontent.us.prod.clueso.io/cb1eec54-ce60-4478-88c6-e890ec0f0a12/54abaafa-fab6-41a8-b891-869c10ea48a9/9207ba44-80a9-47aa-bc84-adc5097afce2/images/41d37029-bd41-4537-b266-57547cdd9d83.gif)

**Step 5:** For searching keywords within tese files, expand the filter options on the left side of the screen.

![](https://usercontent.us.prod.clueso.io/cb1eec54-ce60-4478-88c6-e890ec0f0a12/54abaafa-fab6-41a8-b891-869c10ea48a9/9207ba44-80a9-47aa-bc84-adc5097afce2/images/11ed48c3-6a2d-4d84-ac83-15cbe563df9d.png)

**Step 6:** Enter at least three characters in the search box, press enter to search. The file list will instantly filter to documents containing your keyword.

![](https://usercontent.us.prod.clueso.io/cb1eec54-ce60-4478-88c6-e890ec0f0a12/54abaafa-fab6-41a8-b891-869c10ea48a9/9207ba44-80a9-47aa-bc84-adc5097afce2/images/c5e5642f-82d6-41fc-a7a9-50128268f948.gif)

**Step 7:** Click the document’s name to open it and dig deeper.

![](https://usercontent.us.prod.clueso.io/cb1eec54-ce60-4478-88c6-e890ec0f0a12/54abaafa-fab6-41a8-b891-869c10ea48a9/9207ba44-80a9-47aa-bc84-adc5097afce2/images/d9442594-d6fd-4f82-ae4e-6e74823464cd.png)

**Step 8:** Use the built-in search box to find keywords within the document. Just type—results update automatically.

![](https://usercontent.us.prod.clueso.io/cb1eec54-ce60-4478-88c6-e890ec0f0a12/54abaafa-fab6-41a8-b891-869c10ea48a9/9207ba44-80a9-47aa-bc84-adc5097afce2/images/ebad9acf-2adc-4e57-a03f-43e499113df0.gif)

**Step 9:** Click on a page to jump straight to each mention. Every occurrence of your search term is highlighted for easy reference.

![](https://usercontent.us.prod.clueso.io/cb1eec54-ce60-4478-88c6-e890ec0f0a12/54abaafa-fab6-41a8-b891-869c10ea48a9/9207ba44-80a9-47aa-bc84-adc5097afce2/images/78db1a95-406a-4f81-8b12-8e80ff4789ed.png)

**Step 10:** Explore other pages by selecting any page number, letting you review the entire document as needed.

![](https://usercontent.us.prod.clueso.io/cb1eec54-ce60-4478-88c6-e890ec0f0a12/54abaafa-fab6-41a8-b891-869c10ea48a9/9207ba44-80a9-47aa-bc84-adc5097afce2/images/f0266ac4-d9d8-478d-8b3d-ba6b5c76065d.png)

**Step 11:** While viewing, annotate right on the document.

Add text boxes, highlights, shapes, or preconfigured stamps like “approved”.

![](https://usercontent.us.prod.clueso.io/cb1eec54-ce60-4478-88c6-e890ec0f0a12/54abaafa-fab6-41a8-b891-869c10ea48a9/9207ba44-80a9-47aa-bc84-adc5097afce2/images/dab2aff4-1661-4e45-9915-97c8e8b4437d.gif)

**Step 12:** Your annotations are private—visible only to you and others in your company’s account.

**Step 13:** Download a file with or without your annotations by clicking **Download** in the upper right corner. Choose between the original file and your marked-up version.

![](https://usercontent.us.prod.clueso.io/cb1eec54-ce60-4478-88c6-e890ec0f0a12/54abaafa-fab6-41a8-b891-869c10ea48a9/9207ba44-80a9-47aa-bc84-adc5097afce2/images/3db19383-60db-4f1d-a2a7-472da92be0c3.gif)

 

Review, search, and add notes to project files to make sure you and your team never miss important information. This way, your next bid or review meeting stays sharp, efficient, and informed.

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