## How to Add a PDF Viewer in WordPress (The Easy Way)
**By Naveed Ahmed, WordPress Expert**
**Introduction**
As a seasoned WordPress expert with over 15 years of experience, I’ve witnessed firsthand the evolution of WordPress from a simple blogging platform to a powerful content management system that can be used for everything from e-commerce to membership sites. One of the most common requests I receive from clients is how to add a PDF viewer to their WordPress website. This simple feature can dramatically enhance the user experience, making it easier for visitors to access and interact with important documents like manuals, brochures, ebooks, and more.
The ability to embed PDF viewers seamlessly within your WordPress website offers several advantages. It provides a streamlined experience for your audience, allowing them to access and interact with your documents directly on your website without the need for downloads. This approach ensures consistency in the layout and formatting of your PDFs across various devices, making it easier for users to read and navigate.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the various methods for adding a PDF viewer in WordPress, starting with the simplest approach using the built-in WordPress functionality and then progressing to more advanced options using plugins. We’ll also touch on how to leverage your embedded PDFs to monetize your content and increase your website’s engagement.
**Why Do You Need a PDF Viewer in WordPress?**
Many WordPress websites utilize PDF files to share crucial information about their products, services, or resources. For instance, if you run a restaurant website, you might upload your menu as a PDF. While you could simply upload a PDF and include a download link in WordPress, this isn’t the ideal approach for users who want to quickly view the document or prefer not to download it entirely.
By adding a PDF viewer in WordPress, you allow visitors to view the document without downloading it. This is particularly beneficial for users accessing your website on smartphones or tablets. This approach also encourages users to stay on your website, potentially increasing page views and reducing bounce rates.
**Method 1: Add a PDF Viewer Using the Block Editor (Easy)**
The easiest way to display PDFs on your WordPress website is by utilizing the built-in File block within the Gutenberg editor. This method doesn’t require any special plugins, but it offers limited customization options. For more advanced customization and features, we recommend using a WordPress plugin.
1. **Open Your Page or Post:** Navigate to the page or post where you want to embed the PDF viewer.
2. **Add a New Block:** Click on the “Add Block” (+) button to add a new block.
3. **Select the File Block:** Start typing “File” and select the “File” block from the list of suggestions.
4. **Select Your PDF:** If you’ve already uploaded your PDF to the WordPress media library, click on the “Media Library” button and choose the PDF you want to embed. If you haven’t uploaded the PDF yet, click on “Upload” and select the PDF from your computer.
5. **Adjust the PDF Size:** WordPress will automatically choose a size for the embedded PDF. Depending on the file size, the default view might not display the full document. Users can zoom in and out and scroll through the PDF using the toolbar settings.
6. **Customize the Height:** You can adjust the PDF viewer’s height to display more or less of the embedded document. Use the “Height in pixels” slider in the right-hand menu to make these adjustments.
7. **Show or Hide the Download Button:** WordPress includes a “Download” icon in the toolbar and a button below the PDF. You can disable this duplicate content by clicking to disable the “Show Download Button” toggle.
**Method 2: Add a PDF Viewer in WordPress Using a Plugin (More Customizable)**
While the built-in WordPress File block is suitable for embedding a few PDFs, using a free plugin offers greater control over the viewer.
**WP PDF Embedder** is one of the best PDF viewer plugins for WordPress. It automatically adjusts the size of your PDF files or lets you specify a width, with the plugin automatically calculating the height for you. It also provides a PDF viewer with Next/Previous buttons and a zoom button for easy navigation and viewing, making it perfect for displaying longer documents.
1. **Install and Activate the Plugin:** Install and activate the WP PDF Embedder plugin from the WordPress plugin directory.
2. **Configure Plugin Settings:** Visit the **Settings » PDF Embedder** page in your WordPress dashboard to configure the plugin’s settings.
3. **Set Default Width and Height:** In the “Main Settings” tab, you can set the default width and height for your PDFs. You can override these default settings when embedding individual PDFs. However, setting the default settings can save time and effort.
4. **Adjust Toolbar Visibility:** By default, PDF Embedder shows the toolbar at the top when users hover their mouse over the document. For longer documents, consider making the toolbar visible by default by selecting the “Toolbar always visible” option.
5. **Customize Toolbar Location and Hover:** You can set the toolbar location to the top, bottom, or both, or disable it completely using the dropdown menu.
6. **Additional Plugin Settings:** You can configure various other settings for your PDF viewer, such as displaying scrollbars, enabling continuous page scrolling, adding a PDF search button to the toolbar, and more.
7. **Enable Download Tracking:** Allow visitors to download documents by displaying a PDF Download button in the toolbar. Enable views and download tracking to monitor the popularity of your PDFs.
8. **Save Changes:** Click on “Save Changes” to save your plugin settings.
9. **Embed the PDF:** Open the page or post where you want to embed the PDF and click on the “+” button to add a new block.
10. **Select the PDF Embedder Block:** Type “PDF Embedder” and select the “PDF Embedder” block.
11. **Choose Your PDF:** Click on the link to open the WordPress media library and select a PDF. You can choose from the library or upload a file from your computer.
12. **Fine-Tune PDF Settings:** Use the settings in the right-hand menu to fine-tune how the PDF looks and functions. You can change the PDF’s height, width, toolbar location, toolbar hover, external links, and search button.
13. **Update or Publish:** Once you’re satisfied with the PDF setup, click on “Update” or “Publish” to save your changes.
**Bonus: How to Make Money From Your Embedded PDFs**
If you have valuable and high-quality PDFs, you can use them to generate revenue online using WordPress.
1. **Membership Sites:** After embedding a PDF document on your website, you can turn the page or post into exclusive members-only content. Users can purchase a membership to access the page or post and view the embedded PDF. The best WordPress membership plugin for this purpose is **MemberPress**.
2. **Selling PDFs:** Use **Easy Digital Downloads** to manage and sell PDF documents on your website. You can easily sell various digital products and embed PDFs as previews on your product pages.
**Conclusion**
Adding a PDF viewer to your WordPress website can significantly improve user experience and engagement. Whether you choose the simple built-in File block or opt for the advanced customization options provided by plugins like WP PDF Embedder, you can easily display PDFs on your website, allowing visitors to view documents seamlessly without the need for downloads.
Remember, embedding PDFs can also be an excellent opportunity to monetize your content and grow your business. Utilize membership plugins or e-commerce platforms to unlock the revenue potential of your valuable PDF resources.
**FAQs**
What are the benefits of using a PDF viewer in WordPress?
Using a PDF viewer in WordPress offers several advantages, including:
- Improved User Experience: Visitors can view documents directly on your website without downloads, enhancing user convenience.
- Consistent Formatting: PDFs maintain their layout and formatting across various devices, ensuring a consistent viewing experience.
- Increased Engagement: Users are encouraged to stay on your website, potentially leading to higher page views and reduced bounce rates.
- Monetization Opportunities: You can monetize your valuable PDFs through membership sites or by selling them directly.
How do I choose the right PDF viewer plugin?
When selecting a PDF viewer plugin, consider the following factors:
- Customization Options: Choose a plugin that allows you to customize the viewer’s appearance and functionality.
- Performance: Opt for a plugin that loads quickly and doesn’t impact your website’s performance.
- Features: Look for features like zoom, page navigation, and download options.
- Support: Ensure the plugin has good documentation and support in case you need assistance.
Can I use a free PDF viewer plugin?
Yes, several free PDF viewer plugins are available in the WordPress repository. However, free plugins might have limited customization options and features compared to paid plugins.
Can I embed PDFs in WordPress.com?
WordPress.com doesn’t allow embedding PDFs using plugins. However, you can use the built-in File block to display PDFs, but customization options are limited.
How do I make sure my PDFs are optimized for search engines?
To optimize your PDFs for search engines:
- Include Text Content: Avoid using image-only PDFs. Include text content to make your PDFs searchable by search engines.
- Use Descriptive File Names: Use clear and relevant file names to make your PDFs more discoverable.
- Optimize Metadata: Add relevant keywords and descriptions to the PDF metadata.
Can I use a PDF viewer plugin to sell my PDFs?
While some PDF viewer plugins might include basic download tracking, they are not designed for selling PDFs. To sell your PDFs online, use a dedicated e-commerce plugin like Easy Digital Downloads.
How do I prevent my embedded PDFs from being downloaded?
You cannot entirely prevent users from downloading your embedded PDFs. However, you can disable the download button in the PDF viewer settings. This will discourage users from downloading the PDF, but it won’t prevent them entirely.
What happens if I use an outdated PDF viewer plugin?
Using outdated plugins can lead to security vulnerabilities, compatibility issues with newer versions of WordPress, and potential performance problems. It’s crucial to keep your plugins updated to ensure your website’s security and stability.
Can I embed multiple PDFs on a single page?
Yes, you can embed multiple PDFs on a single page using either the File block or a PDF viewer plugin.
Is there a way to password-protect my embedded PDFs?
Password-protecting your PDFs can be achieved by using a membership plugin like MemberPress or by converting your PDF to a password-protected document before embedding it on your website.
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