How to Embed PDFs from Google Drive

Want to embed PDFs from Google Drive to your website or other documents? If yes, you have stumbled upon the right webpage. In this article, we are going to share a step-by-step guide that you can follow to embed PDF files from Google Drive to your website.

So, without any further ado, let’s get started –

How to Embed PDFs from Google Drive

Even though you can insert links to download PDFs on your website, embedding PDFs on the website is one of the easiest ways to keep your visitors on your page. Not only that but there are plenty of great benefits of embedding PDFs to your websites.

To embed PDFs from Google Drive on a website looks like a daunting task. But it is quite simple and easy in reality. All credit goes to Google Drive’s built-in PDF reader and other tools that make embedding PDF files and other media to any website very easy.

If you want to learn how to do that, just follow these simple steps –

  • Go to drive.google.com and log into your account.
  • Upload the PDF file you want to embed to your Drive storage.
  • Double-click on the file to open it in Preview mode. Google Drive will open this PDF file in Preview mode. Therefore, you will not be able to see the embed option.
  • Now, right-click on the three-dot menu icon located at the top right corner of your screen. Select the Open in New Window option.
Embed PDFs from Google Drive
  • Again, click on the three-dot icon located at the top right corner of your screen. Click on the Embed option.
Embed PDF from Google Drive
  • It will open a pop-up box named Embed item. Here, you will see an HTML code that you need to copy and paste on your website using an HTML editor to embed this PDF file.
How to Embed PDFs from Google Drive
Embed PDF from Google Drive

That’s it. Isn’t it easy to embed a file from Google Drive to your website?

Disclaimer – You will need to use an HTML editor on your website to embed this PDF file. If you paste this code as it is, it will probably appear as straight text. If that happens, remember that it is happening because you are not using an HTML editor.

Read 7 Google Drive Tips And Tricks 

Benefits to Embed PDF from Google Drive to your Website

1. SEO

If you are a website owner who is concerned about the SEO of your website, embedding PDF files will offer some great benefits to you. The very first thing that happens when you embed PDFs or other media files is that it drastically increases the average time spent on your website.

This actually lets Google and other search engines understand that you are offering content that is actually helping users with their queries. As a result, you get a boost in SEO.

2. Consistent Viewing Experience

One of the great benefits to embed PDFs from Google Drive is that it helps your viewers reduce the burden of downloading the PDF file and opening it in any other application.

Your website visitors can open the file right away on your website without leaving it. Overall, this offers visitors a consistent viewing experience.

3. Control Over Files

One of the great benefits of embedding PDF files from Google Drive to your website is that you can use the features and functionality offered by Google Drive.

For example, Google Drive allows you to lock your file from printing or downloading, meaning no one without permission can download the PDF files you have shared. They will only be able to view that file.

Now, let’s say you are embedding a PDF on your website that contains information that strictly belongs to you.

You want others to view that PDF, but you don’t want them to download it or re-distribute it further. In such a scenario, you can put the right permissions and restrictions to maintain what a user can do with your files.

Read How to Convert Image to PDF in Google Drive

4. Responsive Viewing

Since not everyone is going to open PDFs on a computer screen, responsive design becomes very crucial. If you don’t embed PDF, mobile users will not be able to open the PDF document without using any other application.

By embedding PDFs, developers can ensure that your readers will be able to open or view files irrespective of what devices they are using. This will be great for the user experience.

5. No Dependency

If a smartphone user downloads a PDF, he needs to have an application installed on their device that would help them open the PDF file. While these applications can offer many great features and benefits, they have a huge impact on performance and security.

I am not saying that it is bad to have a PDF reader installed on your device, but the user shouldn’t be forced to have one. It should be the user’s individual choice.

When you embed a PDF on your website, it gives the user a choice to select if they want to open the PDF on their web browser or want to open it in an app.

Read How to Delete PDF Files from Google Drive

FAQs on Embed PDFs from Google Drive

Can you embed files from Google Drive?

Yes. Google Drive is a great cloud storage service that offers many great functions. Apart from a storage solution, it also gives users the ability to embed files stored in their Google Drive storage.

Can you embed a PDF?

Yes, it is quite easy to embed a PDF on a website. You just need to get the iframe code and put it in the HTML editor on your website.

Does Google have a PDF viewer?

No, Google doesn’t have a PDF viewer. Instead, it uses Google Docs to allow users to create, modify, or view PDF files.

Closing Comments

There you have it – a detailed guide on how to embed PDF from Google Drive and some of the best benefits of doing this.

PDF is one of the most popular and widely used file extensions, especially for written documents. Embedding PDFs on your webpage can offer you a lot of great benefits. However, to embed PDFs on your website, the one most essential thing that you need to do is that you have to upload the PDF to a cloud storage platform.

Now, even though you can use any other cloud storage platform of your choice, we recommend using Google Drive because of its free cloud storage and superb functionalities. Plus, it is also quite easy to embed PDFs from Google Drive.

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