Tired of forcing users to download PDFs just to view documents? SharePoint’s embedding features let you display PDFs directly in-browser, eliminating downloads and keeping workflows smooth.
This guide shows you exactly how to upload PDF to SharePoint and embed files using multiple methods – from native SharePoint PDF viewer options to interactive flipbook solutions.
Let’s get your PDFs working seamlessly in SharePoint.
SharePoint offers several ways to handle PDF files, each with different capabilities and use cases. Knowing your options helps you choose the right approach for your needs.
SharePoint’s built-in SharePoint PDF viewer displays PDFs directly in the browser without additional plugins. This SharePoint document viewer automatically handles most PDF files and provides basic viewing features:
The native viewer works well for standard documents but has limitations with complex layouts, forms, or interactive elements.
For more control over PDF display, iframe embedding lets you customize the viewing experience. This method works by embedding the PDF URL directly into a page using HTML code.
Benefits include:
External embedded file viewer tools offer enhanced features beyond SharePoint’s native capabilities. These solutions typically provide:
Popular options include Adobe Document Services, PDFObject, and specialized platforms like Flipsnack for creating interactive flipbook experiences.
You can also embed PDF online from external sources like OneDrive, Google Drive, or dedicated hosting platforms.
This approach is useful when:
Each method has trade-offs between simplicity, features, and maintenance requirements. In the following sections, we detail how to implement each approach.
Getting your PDFs into SharePoint is straightforward, but knowing the best methods saves time and ensures proper organization.
How to upload PDF to SharePoint through document libraries:
Drag-and-drop method: Simply drag PDF files from your computer directly into the document library. SharePoint automatically processes and indexes the files.
Bulk upload options: For multiple files, select all PDFs at once during upload or use the “Upload > Folder” option to maintain directory structure.
From email attachments:
Direct browser saves: When viewing a PDF online, use your browser’s “Save as” function and choose your mapped SharePoint library as the destination.
Mobile upload considerations: The SharePoint mobile app allows direct uploads from your device’s camera, file storage, or cloud services. Photos of documents are automatically converted to PDFs when possible.
Now that your PDFs are uploaded, here are the most effective ways to embed them directly into SharePoint pages.
The simplest way to SharePoint embed PDF files uses SharePoint’s native functionality:
When to use: Perfect for standard documents, internal policies, and simple viewing needs.
For more control over PDF display, embed PDF in SharePoint using iframe code:
<iframe src="[PDF_URL]" width="100%" height="600px" frameborder="0">
</iframe>Steps to implement:
Benefits: Custom sizing, better page integration, works with external PDFs.
Modern SharePoint pages offer several web part options:
Each web part offers different customization levels and viewing experiences.
SharePoint embed PDF from external source options include:
Cloud storage integration:
You can also consider URL-based embedding. Use direct links to PDFs hosted elsewhere, but ensure proper permissions and reliable hosting.
Transform static PDFs into interactive flipbooks. This is a format that replicates the flip effect of a printed publication, and allows for interactive elements, better security and a variety of sharing options, including embedding.
Benefits of Flipsnack integration:
This method creates a more engaging viewing experience compared to standard PDF viewers, especially for marketing materials, catalogs, and presentations.
Each method serves different needs – from simple document viewing to interactive engagement experiences.
Take your PDF embedding beyond basic display with these advanced configuration options and customizations.
SharePoint embed PDF without download option:
For the File viewer web part:
For iframe embedding, add parameters to restrict downloads:
<iframe src="[PDF_URL]#toolbar=0&navpanes=0&scrollbar=0" width="100%" height="600px">
</iframe>Additional control options:
Ensure your embedded PDFs work across all devices:
Mobile-friendly settings:
<iframe src="[PDF_URL]" style="width:100%; height:400px; max-width:100%;"
frameborder="0">
</iframe>CSS for responsive design:
.PDF-container {
position: relative;
width: 100%;
height: 0;
padding-bottom: 75%; /* 4:3 aspect ratio */
}
.PDF-container iframe {
position: absolute;
top: 0;
left: 0;
width: 100%;
height: 100%;
}Touch navigation optimization:
Screen size adaptations: Modern SharePoint automatically adjusts web part sizes, but custom iframe solutions may need media queries for optimal mobile display.
Flipsnack customization options include a variety of settings:
SharePoint web part styling: Use SharePoint’s section formatting options to add backgrounds, borders, and spacing around your embedded PDFs for better visual integration.
These advanced features help create professional, branded PDF viewing experiences that align with your organization’s design standards and security requirements.
Embedding PDFs securely requires careful attention to permissions, access controls, and compliance requirements.
User permission inheritance: Embedded PDFs automatically inherit SharePoint permissions from their source library. Users can only view files they have access to, maintaining your security model.
Key permission levels:
Guest access limitations: External users may face restrictions with embedded PDFs depending on your tenant settings:
Audit trail maintenance:
Version management: When updating embedded PDFs, SharePoint automatically displays the latest version. Previous versions remain accessible through the version history.
When embedding PDFs from external sources, validate URLs and ensure trusted domains only.
Secure external source validation:
<!-- Only embed from trusted domains -->
<iframe src="https://trusted-domain.com/document.PDF"
sandbox="allow-same-origin allow-scripts">
</iframe>Authentication requirements: External PDF sources must handle authentication properly. Avoid embedding PDFs that require separate login processes, as this creates poor user experiences.
Industry-specific considerations:
Best practices for compliance:
Before embedding PDFs in production:
✓ Verify appropriate SharePoint permissions
✓ Test guest user access scenarios
✓ Configure DLP policies for sensitive content
✓ Enable audit logging and monitoring
✓ Document security procedures
✓ Train users on secure viewing practices
In conclusion, these security measures help maintain data protection while providing seamless PDF access to authorized users. Flipsnack’s security measures cover HIPAA compliancy through PDF flipbooks, and it ensures your content is safely distributed online through any medium.
Accessibility implications for SharePoint embed PDFs should be top of mind. Therefore, ensuring your embedded PDFs are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities, is both a legal requirement and good practice.
The built-in SharePoint PDF viewer includes several accessibility features:
Screen reader compatibility:
Keyboard navigation support:
Visual accessibility features:
Flipsnack offers advanced accessibility features that surpass standard PDF viewers:
Built-in accessibility compliance:
Screen reader optimization:
Keyboard and assistive technology support:
Visual accessibility features:
Mobile accessibility:
It’s important to check the important aspects before publishing embedded PDFs:
✓ Verify proper PDF tagging and structure
✓ Test with multiple screen readers
✓ Check keyboard navigation functionality
✓ Validate color contrast ratios
✓ Ensure mobile accessibility
✓ Consider Flipsnack for enhanced accessibility features
✓ Provide alternative formats when needed
✓ Document accessibility features for users
Flipsnack’s comprehensive accessibility features make it an excellent choice for organizations prioritizing inclusive document experiences while maintaining engaging, interactive content.
Quick fixes for the most common PDF embedding problems in SharePoint.
PDF not loading properly:
Formatting issues in viewer:
Access denied errors:
Version conflicts:
Mobile viewing problems:
Touch interaction fixes:
Most embedding issues stem from permissions or browser compatibility. Therefore, when standard solutions fail, Flipsnack often provides a more reliable alternative with better cross-platform support.
Embedding PDFs in SharePoint transforms static document sharing into seamless, integrated experiences. You now have multiple proven methods to SharePoint embed PDF files – from SharePoint’s native viewer to advanced iframe solutions and interactive Flipsnack flipbooks.
For basic needs: SharePoint’s built-in SharePoint PDF viewer handles standard documents efficiently with minimal setup.
For customization: iframe embedding gives you control over display options and the ability to embed PDF in SharePoint using iFrame code with custom styling.
For engagement & security: Flipsnack transforms static PDFs into interactive experiences with superior accessibility features and mobile optimization.
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