Written by Admin on 2025-05-06

How to Force PDF Download on Wordpress

Many businesses and websites offer PDF documents to their clients or visitors. These documents are often used for product catalogs, white papers, e-books, and other types of content. However, by default, when a user clicks on a PDF hyperlink, the file will open within the same browser window. This may be convenient in some situations, but it can also be frustrating for users who want to save or share the document. Fortunately, there is a simple way to force PDF download on Wordpress websites.

Step 1: Install a Plugin

There are many Wordpress plugins available that can help you force PDF downloads. Some popular options include "PDF Embedder" and "PDF Viewer for WordPress". For the purpose of this guide, we will be using the "PDF Embedder" plugin.

To install the plugin, go to your Wordpress dashboard and navigate to the "Plugins" section. Click on "Add New" and search for "PDF Embedder" in the search bar. Once you find the plugin, click on "Install Now" and then "Activate".

Step 2: Change the Link URL

Once the plugin is installed and activated, you are ready to begin forcing PDF downloads. The first step is to change the URL of your PDF hyperlink.

In the Wordpress editor, select the text or image that you want to turn into a PDF download link. In the hyperlink box, enter the URL of the PDF file that you want to link to, but add "#toolbar=0&navpanes=0&scrollbar=0" to the end of the URL. This will hide the PDF toolbar, navigation pane, and scrollbar when the file is downloaded.

For example, if your PDF file is located at "https://example.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/whitepaper.pdf", your hyperlink URL should be "https://example.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/whitepaper.pdf#toolbar=0&navpanes=0&scrollbar=0".

Step 3: Test the Download

Once you have changed the URL, save or publish your page and test the PDF download. When a user clicks on the link, the file should automatically download to their computer instead of opening in the browser window.

It is also important to note that some web browsers may block the download due to security settings. In this case, the user will need to adjust their browser settings or contact their IT department for assistance.

Conclusion

Forcing PDF downloads on Wordpress websites can be a simple and effective way to improve user experience and make your content more accessible. By following these three steps, you can easily change the hyperlink URL and ensure that your PDF documents are downloaded instead of opened in the browser window.