searchability and protection

NEWS.md

@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 # gridify 0.7.7.9000
 
+* Added section on pipeline security and PDF searchability to `README.md`, `gridify` vignette, and `transparency` vignette.
+
 # gridify 0.7.7
 
 * Updated `README.md` file.

README.md

@@ -33,7 +33,12 @@ Whilst **rtables** are not directly supported, we can use **rtables** with `grid
 
 As `gridify` is based on the graphical tool **grid**, any figure or table
 inputs are converted to a `grob` object in `gridify` and the result of using
-`gridify` is always a graphical image.
+`gridify` is always a graphical image. This is by design: by unifying
+tables and figures into scalable vector graphics, `gridify` locks the
+layout so it cannot break across environments — no shifting columns, no
+reflowing text. The output is stable enough for final PDF submissions
+(e.g. eCTD) while the text stays clear, searchable, and copy-able at
+any zoom level.
 
 ## Installation
 
@@ -143,6 +148,28 @@ For more information please visit the following vignettes:
   `vignette("transparency", package = "gridify")` - How to extract the
   raw grid code to reproduce a `gridify` object.
 
+### "No-Touch" Pipelines
+
+`gridify` outputs are graphical — they **cannot be hand-edited** like
+Word or Excel. Once a PDF or PNG is produced, the content is locked:
+nothing to retype, nothing to rephrase. Unlike Word/RTF, the layout
+will not reflow or break when opened on a different machine. This is
+useful in validated environments where any manual change after
+generation is a compliance issue, and especially for final eCTD
+submissions where formatting must be pixel-stable.
+
+### PDF Text is Still Searchable
+
+Because `gridify` uses R's vector graphics engine, text in PDFs
+(exported with `export_to()`) is **real text**, not a flat image.
+Reviewers can:
+
+- use Ctrl+F / Cmd+F to search,
+- copy & paste values for checks,
+- zoom in without losing clarity.
+
+So the output is uneditable *and* searchable at the same time.
+
 ## Related packages
 
 Other packages exist which add headers, footers, and other elements to figures and tables; most of the input classes to `gridify` already support these features. 

vignettes/gridify.Rmd

@@ -206,6 +206,27 @@ To save `gridify` drawings to files see `vignette("simple_examples", package = "
 - **Custom Layout**: `vignette("create_custom_layout", package = "gridify")`  
 - **Transparency**: `vignette("transparency", package = "gridify")`  
 
+## A Note on Security and Searchability
+
+Two things worth knowing about `gridify` outputs in regulated settings:
+
+### Outputs Cannot Be Hand-Edited
+
+`gridify` produces graphical objects, not editable documents.
+Unlike Word or Excel, there is nothing to retype or change by hand after the output is generated.
+This matters in validated environments where manual modifications are not allowed.
+
+### PDF Text is Searchable
+
+Even though the output is graphical, text in PDFs (via `export_to()`) is **real text** — not a flat image.
+R's vector graphics engine keeps the characters selectable, so reviewers can:
+
+- search with Ctrl+F / Cmd+F,
+- copy & paste text,
+- zoom without losing quality.
+
+In short: the output is locked down but still easy to work with for review.
+
 ## Conclusion
 
 That’s it! `gridify` enables you to consistently position text elements around any figures or tables, all while letting you leverage base R `grid` for maximum control and transparency. 

vignettes/transparency.Rmd

@@ -97,8 +97,17 @@ Through meta-programming, `gridify` captures all `grid` calls required to produc
 3. **Audit and Debugging**  
    The ability to retrieve the full `grid` calls makes it straightforward to diagnose layout issues or confirm that all elements are placed correctly.
 
+4. **"No-Touch" Outputs**  
+   `gridify` outputs are graphical — they cannot be hand-edited after generation.
+   Together with the auditable `grid` code, this is helpful in validated workflows where manual changes are not allowed.
+
+5. **PDF Text is Searchable**  
+   Text in PDFs from `export_to()` is real, selectable text — not a flat image.
+   Reviewers can search (Ctrl+F), copy & paste, and zoom without losing quality.
+
 ## Conclusion
 
-By providing direct access to the underlying `grid` code, `gridify` prioritizes **transparency**. 
+By exposing the underlying `grid` code, `gridify` keeps things **transparent**.
+The outputs are also uneditable yet searchable, which is a practical combination for regulated environments.
 
 For more details on other aspects like reproducibility, consistency, and advanced layouts, check out our package documentation and additional vignettes.