Forcing your website visitors to download and install upgrades to Acrobat can turn into a BIG hassle for them. Always remember the first rule of good web development: make the user’s experience as easy, simple, and painless as possible.
In this article, I’ll show you how to actually embed a PDF in WordPress, right into the body of your posts and pages using a Google Docs plugin. Not only does this allow your visitors to read PDFs directly on your webpage (thus eliminating one extra mouse click), it also requires no installations or upgrades of Adobe Acrobat. In fact, the visitor doesn’t even have to HAVE Acrobat at all.
And here’s the best part: this plugin doesn’t require a Google Docs account either. Pretty cool, huh?
Installing the Google Docs Plugin
First off, let’s install the plugin that will let us embed a PDF in WordPress.
Login to your WordPress website and head over to the “Plugins” tab at the left of your screen. Click “Add New” and then type “Google Docs Embedder” into the search box. Click “Search Plugins.” Your screen should look similar to the one below:
Search for “Google Docs Embedder” to locate the proper plugin.
Click “Details”, then click the red “Install Now” button to install the plugin.
Note: Make sure the plugin is compatible with your version of WordPress. If not, you may need to upgrade your WordPress installation.
Make sure the plugin is compatible with your version of WordPress, then click “Install Now.”
Once the plugin has finished installing, click the “Activate Plugin” link.
Click “Activate Plugin” after the installation finishes.
Google Docs Plugin Settings
Go back to “Installed Plugins” in the left-hand menu, then click the “Settings” link under Google Doc Embedder.
Click the “Settings” link under Google Docs Embedder.
The settings screen allows you to configure the plugin for your website. You can choose the standard or enhanced viewer, set file types and sizes, integrate the viewer with Google Analytics, and find links to support documentation.
Use the tabs to configure the plugin for your website.
Upload Your PDF Document
Head over to “Media” on the left and click “Add New.” Select the PDF you want to upload from your hard-drive and WordPress will automatically upload it. You should see a screen similar to the one below:
Upload your PDF, then click the “Edit” link.
Click the “Edit” link highlighted in yellow above. Copy the full URL of the PDF on the right of the next screen:
Grab the PDF’s URL from the edit screen.
Embed a PDF in Your WordPress Posts or Pages
Now you’re ready to embed your PDF. Jump over to the “Posts” or “Pages” section and click into edit mode. Notice the new Google Docs plugin embedder button on the toolbar:
Click the Google Docs icon on the toolbar to open the embedder plugin.
Click the toolbar icon to bring up the embedder dialogue screen. Paste the PDF’s URL that you copied into the URL field. The plugin shortcode will display in the “Shortcode Preview” field:
Paste the PDF’s URL in the field to generate the plugin shortcode.
Now click “Insert.” The Google Docs plugin shortcode will appear in the body text of your page or post.
Note: Make sure you remember to “Update” the post or page to save your work.
The shortcode appears in the body text. Don’t forget to update your work!
Congrats, You’re Done!
Ta daaa! That’s it. You’ve now successfully embedded a PDF in WordPress, and your visitors can read it with no Adobe browser extensions whatsoever.
You’ve just made your website an easier and more user-friendly place to visit!
Bio: Rebecca Carter works as a content writer for a company that provides college essay writing help. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Digital Marketing and developed an interest in writing articles about her experience. Rebecca enjoys being in the mountains, going to the gym, horseback riding, and volunteering when she is not writing.