A method and system for searching for text in a document. In one embodiment, the method includes comparing a signature of text to be located with a signature of each section of text in the document. A distance from an expected location of the text to be matched is computed and compared to a location of each section of text in the document. An exact match of the signature of text to be located that is nearest to the expected location of the text to be located is sought. If an exact match of the signature is not found at the expected location, a close match to the signature, that is nearest to the expected location, is sought. If the exact match is found, the location of the exact match is identified as the location of the text being searched for. If the exact match is not found, and a close match is identified, the close match is identified as the location of the text being searched for. If a close match is not identified, the search is unsuccessful and the text can be considers as an orphan by the application using the invention.