How to Easily Upload PDF Files to WordPress Site

Do you want to learn how to upload PDF files to your WordPress site? If yes, then you landed in the right place.

Embedding a PDF into your WordPress posts or pages may be useful to showcase content for your website’s users. For example, if you want to share restaurant menus, tour schedules, course materials, or ebooks, you may consider embedding them as PDFs on your website. Visitors may then read, download, or print the PDF files as needed.

In this article, we look at quick and easy methods to help you embed and upload PDF files in WordPress.

Why Upload PDF Files in WordPress?

PDFs are a popular file type, and there are several advantages to using them on your WordPress website.

Here are some notable advantages:

• You can use PDF file downloads to increase your email subscriber list.
• Adding PDF files to your website can increase user engagement and reduce bounce rates.
• You may repurpose content by converting long guides and tutorials into PDF files. Then provide them to users as exclusive content.
• You may even use PDF files as part of your course or membership site to provide unique members-only premium content to your paying subscribers.

Having said that, let’s move forward on how to add PDF to the WordPress site.

How to Upload PDF Files to WordPress

There are two ways that you can use to add PDF files to WordPress.

• Upload your PDF using WordPress’s built-in feature.
• Install a plugin to upload your PDF and use its additional features.

Let’s start with the WordPress Block Editor.

1. Upload a PDF File to WordPress Using WordPress Block Editor

To get started, first, you need to open the WordPress block editor and then add a new post or page or edit an existing one to add the PDF file.

Next, click on the plus + icon and type File on the search bar, and once you find the File block, click on it.

Following that, you’ll see two options: Upload and Media Library. If you’ve already uploaded the PDF file, then you can quickly select from the Media Library section.

If not, then simply click on the Upload button. Then, simply upload your PDF file. With that, you’ll see that your PDF file is uploaded, as shown in the image below.

You’ll also see a download button at the bottom of the PDF where you can add or change the button text.

Similarly, if you select the File block, you will see various settings that you may apply to your PDF.

As you can see, the Show inline embed option is enabled by default. You may simply disable it to make your uploaded PDF file look clean and clutter-free.

You can also click Open in new tab option to allow your users to see the PDF file in a new tab. Similarly, you can show/hide the download button according to your preferences.

Following that, just click the Preview option to see how your PDF file shows on your post or page. Then click the Publish button to make it live!

That’s it! This is the easiest way to show your uploaded PDF files on a WordPress site.

2. Upload a PDF File to WordPress Using Plugin

Using a WordPress plugin is the quickest and easiest way to upload a PDF file to WordPress. There are various plugins available; however, we recommend PDF Embedder.

It’s a free WordPress plugin that allows you to upload and embed PDFs directly into any page or post on your website. It embeds PDFs using JavaScript, allowing you to customize the look of your documents.

By default, PDF Embedder shows PDFs at their original size. However, you can also set the width and height of any PDF you embed. Plus, all JavaScript and other files are delivered by your own server, so no potentially untrustworthy third party is involved.

First, you need to install and activate the PDF Embedder plugin. For more in detail, see our guide on how to install a plugin in WordPress.

Upon activation, go to Settings » PDF Embedder from your WordPress dashboard.

The free version of PDF Embedder has limited options. These includes:

• Height and Width – Set the height and width of your PDFs here.
• Toolbar Location – Choose whether the toolbar should be shown at the top or bottom of the page. The toolbar allows users to zoom in and out of the PDF as well as switch between pages.
• Toolbar Hover – Select whether the toolbar should be shown all the time or only when the user hovers over the PDF.

However, the premium version comes with additional features. These includes:

• Download Button – Show the PDF download button on the toolbar.
• External Links – Open links in a new browser tab/window.
• Track Views/Downloads – Count the number of views and downloads.
• Continuous Page Scrolling – Allow the user to scroll up/down between all pages in the PDF.

The premium version costs $20 for a single license site and up to $50 for an unlimited site license.

Once you have configured the settings, click on the Save Changes button.

Use PDF Embedder Block to Add PDF File

To upload a PDF with PDF Embedder, you simply follow the same process as you would using the WordPress block editor.

Go and open the post or page where you want to show the PDF.

Next, click on the plus + icon and type PDF Embedder on the search bar, and once you find the PDF Embedder block, click on it.

After that, you’ll need to upload a new PDF file to your post or choose one from your media library. You may do this by clicking the link that says, Click here to Open Media Library to select PDF.

Once click on the link, you’ll see two options: Upload and Media Library. If you’ve already uploaded the PDF file, then you can quickly select from the Media Library section.

If not, then simply click on the Upload button. Then, simply upload your PDF file.

The PDF file will be attached to your document. However, you will not see a preview of the PDF while editing the post. Instead, the block contains the URL of the file.

Similarly, if you select the PDF Embedder block, you will see various settings that you may apply to your PDF.

You can also click the Preview option to see how your PDF file shows on your post or page. Then click the Publish button to make it live!

Some Other WordPress PDF Plugins

Besides PDF Embedder, there are also a few other capable WordPress plugins that allow you to upload PDF files to WordPress. So, let’s check them out.

1. EmbedPress

EmbedPress is a complete plugin for adding and displaying PDF files in your WordPress posts and pages. It’s simple to use, and you can upload PDF documents using the media library and display them wherever on your site.

EmbedPress also allows you to upload various types of media to your WordPress website. You may use it to add videos from YouTube, Vimeo, or Twitch.

Aside from that, EmbedPress allows you to upload Google Maps, docs, forms, sheets, Facebook posts, audio files, and much more.

Price:

EmbedPress is a freemium plugin. The free version is available on WordPress.org. However, the premium version costs $39 for a single site license.

2. Document Library Pro

Document Library Pro is a WordPress plugin that allows you to easily create, manage, and display documents. This plugin makes it easy and quick to create resizable WordPress PDF libraries.

Furthermore, it has many features that make managing your documents or PDF collection more effective. This plugin also has powerful sort and filter features. As a result, your visitors will have total flexibility in finding the PDF files they’re looking for.

Price:

Document Library Pro starts from $99 for a single site license.

3. PDF Poster

PDF Poster is another simple WordPress plugin for embedding PDF files on your website.

Using a shortcode, you may add PDF documents to your WordPress posts, pages, widget area, and theme files. You may also include a download button so visitors can simply access your PDF file.

Additionally, when a file is embedded, the viewer’s dark frame is removed, giving website visitors a clearer experience.

Price:

PDF Poster is a freemium plugin. The free version is available on WordPress.org. However, the premium version starts from $30 for a single site license up to $299 for an unlimited site license.

Final Thoughts on How to Upload PDF Files to WordPress

Both methods discussed in this article are great options when it comes to adding a downloadable PDF to WordPress. Simply select the option that best matches your needs and skill set. You can then easily create, embed, and display a wide range of PDFs on your website, allowing you to communicate with and provide for your audience.

We hope this article helps you learn how to upload a PDF to WordPress.

To learn more, check out these helpful resources:

• How to Embed a Google Form in WordPress
• WordPress Dashicons: How to Use Them in WordPress Site
• How to Approve Comments Automatically for WordPress Blog

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