My Blog

Posts

How to Embed a PDF in Your Website Without Allowing Downloads and Not Showing the PDF Toolbar

How To Embed A Pdf In Your Website Without Allowing Downloads And Not Showing The Pdf Toolbar

In today’s digital age, sharing documents online has become essential. However, sometimes you might want to share a PDF without providing a straightforward way for users to download it. This guide will show you how to embed a PDF using Google Docs Viewer, effectively minimizing the risk of unauthorized downloads.

Why Use Google Docs Viewer?

Google Docs Viewer is a powerful tool that allows you to embed PDFs and other documents directly into your website. It provides a clean viewing experience and helps maintain control over how users interact with your document. By using Google Docs Viewer, you can display your PDF in a way that discourages casual downloading while still providing access to its content.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Access Your PDF URL:
    • Make sure you have a publicly accessible URL for the PDF you want to embed. In this example, we will use the following PDF from the SEC: SEC Litigation Opinion.
  2. Construct the Embed URL:
    • Use the following format for the Google Docs Viewer:
    https://docs.google.com/gview?url=YOUR_PDF_URL&embedded=true
    • Replace YOUR_PDF_URL with the link to your PDF. For example:
    https://docs.google.com/gview?url=https://www.sec.gov/files/litigation/opinions/23/.pdf&embedded=true
  3. Add the HTML Code to Your Website:
    • In your WordPress dashboard, navigate to the page or post where you want to embed the PDF.
    • Use the Elementor page builder:
    • You can adjust the width and height attributes as needed to fit your design.
    • Drag and drop an HTML widget into your layout.
      • Insert the following code:
  5. Publish Your Changes:
    • After adding the code, save your changes and publish the page. Your PDF should now be embedded and visible to users.
<iframe src="https://docs.google.com/gview?url=https://www.sec.gov/files/litigation/opinions/23.pdf&embedded=true" style="width:100%; height:600px;" frameborder="0"></iframe>

Benefits of This Method

  • User Experience: Google Docs Viewer provides a seamless viewing experience, allowing users to read the document directly on your site without navigating away.
  • Minimized Download Options: While it’s impossible to completely prevent downloads, using Google Docs Viewer makes it less obvious how to download the PDF. This method discourages casual users from attempting to save the file.
  • Responsive Design: The iframe can be set to adjust its size based on the screen, providing a better experience for mobile users.

Important Considerations

  • Not Foolproof: While this method minimizes direct download options, savvy users may still find ways to download the PDF through browser tools.
  • Public Accessibility: Ensure that the PDF you want to embed is publicly accessible. If the PDF is restricted or requires authentication, users may not be able to view it.

Conclusion

Embedding a PDF using Google Docs Viewer is a practical solution for sharing documents online while controlling access. By following the steps outlined above, you can enhance your website’s content and provide a better user experience. This method allows you to share valuable information without making it too easy for users to download and distribute your documents without permission.

Feel free to experiment with different documents and customize the appearance to fit your site’s design. Happy sharing!