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I have point features with text labels on my map. When I export as PDF, I can search elements that were constructed in the print composer, like the legend, scale bar, etc. However, labels of features on the map are not exporting as searchable text.

I've tried exporting in SVG and PDF. I'm not exporting as raster. Just to be sure I've isolated the problem I've also tried to export a map with just my text labels and get the same issue (text labels not searchable).

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2 Answers 2

Reset to default
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Yes, although it comes with some side effects. You need to change the label rendering from "outlines" to text objects. This setting slightly degrades the quality of rendered labels, and will also result in alignment issues with buffered text. To change this setting, you need to:

  • open the layer properties, switch to the labels tab
  • click the button in the top-right corner which looks like a blue arrow (tooltip says "Automated placement settings")
  • uncheck "Draw text as outlines"

This setting will apply to all layers in your map.

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  • Thank you very much for getting back to me. I tried your suggestion, but unfortunately , it did not work for me. I'm not sure how to post a reproducible example here. Are there other things I should be aware of? (specific fonts to avoid?)
    – t-kalinowski
    Commented Sep 12, 2015 at 12:32
  • Are you on osx?
    – ndawson
    Commented Sep 12, 2015 at 12:58
  • Yes. 10.10.5. I've tried with both qGIS 2.8 and 2.10
    – t-kalinowski
    Commented Sep 12, 2015 at 13:00
  • I don't think this is possible on OSX. Something about the built in OSX PDF printer automatically converts all text to outlines. If you have access to a windows or Linux build it should work
    – ndawson
    Commented Sep 12, 2015 at 13:01
  • OK, thank you. I have access to a windows machine. I will try it and report back.
    – t-kalinowski
    Commented Sep 12, 2015 at 13:02
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To build on @ndawson's answer, it is currently possible (at least in QGIS 3.16+) to change this setting directly in the Layout Composer's Export Options dialog box for both SVG and PDF exports.

Unfortunately (and interestingly), exporting to PDF with labels as text broke apart all of my labels into individual characters, not just the curved ones. But when I exported to SVG with the same setting, only the curved labels were broken apart.

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