To convert PDFs into Word files and on Mac, you should edit them with Google Docs or other third-party applications.
To search a PDF on your Mac for a specific word or phrase, you can use the search function in the built-in Preview app.
You’ll find OCR in Google Docs, for example, which makes the app ideal for converting handwriting to text on your PC. I’ve started using it to create text versions of handwritten notes I’ve just ...