Discover in this blog post How to present and share PDFs on WordPress?

With the addition of a PDF preview library to WordPress, PDF files are more and more in the minds of the creators of our favorite CMS. But the fact remains that WordPress still doesn't give you very many options for handling PDF files.

The transfer to the media library is quite simple, but after that, the rest you will have to manage it yourself.

To remedy this, I will introduce some of the methods you can use to integrate and share PDF files on your WordPress website.

But before, if you have never installed WordPress discover How to install a WordPress blog in 7 steps et How to search, install and activate a WordPress theme on your blog 

Then back to why we are here.

Why do you need PDFs on WordPress?

There are some situations in which you could end up embedding PDF files on WordPress.

Let's start from the beginning: embedding PDF files in WordPress. While the blog posts are certainly popular, there is still a large amount of information that is only available in PDF form.

Go further by discovering How to add PDF on your WordPress blog

For example, if you are dealing with data and statistics, you will often be working with tables and graphs that are only available as part of a PDF.

If you do, embedding those PDFs is a great way to make that same data available to your audience.

Discover also our 9 WooCommerce plugins to generate PDF invoices

Beyond integration, you may come across situations where you want to distribute content through PDFs. This could be PDF versions of your own articles, a single PDF file that is not available anywhere else, or someone else's PDF (again, only with the appropriate license !).

I will cover some methods that you can use to distribute content with PDFs.

How to embed PDF files on WordPress

To embed a PDF file on WordPress, you can use one of these two methods:

  • Installing a plugin
  • Download the PDF to a third party service like Scribd and copy the code to integrate 

See also How to present and share PDFs on WordPress?

I prefer the first option because it doesn't depend on an external service, but I'll cover both methods, just in case you don't want to use a plugin.

Embed PDF on WordPress with PDF Embedder

How to present and share PDFs

If you opt to use a plugin, you can use a free plugin called PDF Embedder. This plugin « PDF Embedder Uses only JavaScript (no iFrames! ) To embed PDF files on your website.

For more details, check out our step by step guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.

Once installed, you can insert PDF files into your posts from your WordPress media library. The process is essentially the same as inserting an image. Or, you can also use a shortcode simple.

In the plugin settings, you can customize the default dimensions for embedded PDF files. Or, you can allow the embedded PDF files to fill the display area.

If your PDF contains multiple pages, users will be able to navigate with front and back buttons.

How to integrate PDFs with Scribd

Among other uses, Scribd is a popular service for embedding PDF documents. You can use it to store your own PDF documents or embedded documents that already exist on Scribd.

It's simple to use - all you need to do is find the " Embed ”(Embed) on the page of a PDF file hosted on Scribd.

Integration of a scribd pdf

Then copy and paste the embed code into the text tab of your WordPress editor.

Learn as well How to disable PDF preview on WordPress

Note: Although Scribd includes an integration option for WordPress, you won't need this. Choose the option " HTML ". The WordPress option only works for WordPress.com websites.

Integration of html scribd document

How to add a "Download as PDF" button to your articles

Although I'm sure your visitors like reading your content on your current website, there are times when they might want to download a copy for offline use.

For example, maybe they want:

  • Read your article when they don't have an internet connection.
  • Download a printable version of your article.

Personally, if I find a particularly useful article, I want to save an offline version so that it can be accessed quickly and permanently.

See also How to generate PDF invoices for WooCommerce

To help these readers, you will be able to add a button Download PDF »To all your articles and pages. While some browsers already have an option Save as PDF The difference is that a dedicated button allows readers to download only the body of your article.

I will present you a plugin to help you achieve this goal:

1. PDF & Print by BestWebSoft

As indicated by his name, " PDF & Print Adds both a "Download as PDF" button and a "Print" button for your WordPress posts.PDF print by bestwebsoft

You can add buttons to your articles, pages, archives, and custom publication formats. You can also choose where on the page display your buttons.

It allows you to customize your PDF files a bit of style, but if you want to add a custom logo and header / footer, you'll need to go for the pro version.

Price: Free (With Premium Version) | More information

Discover also some premium WordPress plugins  

You can use other WordPress plugins to give a modern appearance and to optimize the handling of your blog or website.

We offer you here some premium WordPress plugins that will help you do that.

1. Instagram Testimonials

Le WordPress Plugin Instagram Testimonials lets you display your customers' Instagram posts as testimonials on your website. Don't miss this new trend and use social networks to build trust among your customers. 

Instagram testimonials plugin for wordpress

If they really appreciate your services and share them on Instagram, why not brag about it?

Post their positive impressions in the form of testimonies on your website with a recognizable design. Add stickers and make them more eye-catching, highlight phrases to catch the eye, set rating and you'll see how awesome this WordPress Plugin is very attractive.

Download | Demo | Web hosting

2. Cornerstone

Cornerstone is a plugin that will completely change the way you create pages on your WordPress website. No more days you had to move constantly between your dashboard and your website.

cornerstone

In fact, with just one click, the Skeleton mode (“Skeleton”) of this plugin allows you to view the entire structure of your page without having to leave the public interface. You can move items, configure them, and more ...

Now you can preview your work in real time while you create the page; which makes the process more interesting and fun. Thanks to this WordPress Plugin, you can easily create beautiful online store pages, price tables, etc…

Download | Demo | Web hosting

3. Glider 

Glider is a plugin WordPress slider creation tool that automatically animates different layers of still images to create a 3D illusion. It pans and zooms the photo in any direction to achieve the 3D Ken Burns effect.

Glider 3d photo slider wordpress plugin

And as a layer manager, you'll be able to use any image, HTML element, and even shortcodes to animate text, buttons, or other custom content.

It comes with a video tutorial on creating layers using Photoshop tools. where you can simply choose a 3D photo from its library which is available exclusively for users who have purchased this plugin. The latter is regularly updated with new images. 

Download | Demo | Web hosting

Recommended Resources

Find out about other recommended resources to help you build and manage your website.

Conclusion

Here! That's all. Hope it will allow you to easily embed PDF documents on WordPress. Feel free to share this tutorial with your friends on your favorite social networks

However, you will also be able to consult our resources, if you need more elements to carry out your projects of creation of Internet sites, by consulting our guide on the WordPress blog creation.

If you have suggestions or remarks, leave them in our section Comments.

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