How to Link to a PDF in WordPress

WordPress makes it pretty easy to add images to a page or post, but how do you add a PDF or Word document to a post? Update added for Gutenberg Blocks. It’s even easier now but with some limitations.

Now that Gutenberg has been released, Linking to a PDF is different.

• Link to a PDF in WordPress Gutenberg
• Link to a PDF in WordPress Classic Editor
• Workaround to Link to PDF in WordPress Gutenberg Paragraph and List Blocks

Limitations of the Gutenberg File Block

In Gutenberg, you use the File block to link to files such as PDF or MS Word documents. There are, however, several limitations to the File block that will prevent you from linking to PDF files like you did in the Classic Editor.

The File block is an individual block, and as such, it cannot be added to another block. As a result, you can’t use the File block to add a PDF file link in a paragraph or list.

Unfortunately, lots of people use unordered lists to list links to PDF files. And lots of people link to PDF files from within a paragraph. If you still want to link to PDF files in this way, I recommend that you install the Classic Editor and continue to use that until Gutenberg includes these features.

Or, you can insert the Classic Block and then link to PDF files the same way you do in the Class Editor. The nice thing about this method is that you can enjoy the advantages of the new Block Editor while still using features you need from the Classic Editor.

You can install the Classic Editor even if you already installed WordPress 5.x / Gutenberg. Furthermore, once the  Classic Editor is installed, you can open any post or page using the Classic editor. With the Classic Editor installed, go to Settings > Writing to specify if the Block or Classic editor is the default and if the user can choose which editor they want to use to open a post or page. With the Classic editor installed and with the correct settings in Settings > Writing, WordPress will work just like it did before version 5.x / Gutenberg.

Finally, if you want to continue using the Block editor, there is a workaround to add PDF links to paragraphs and lists.

Link to a PDF in WordPress Gutenberg

1. Open a post or page, put your cursor in the block where you want to add the PDF link, and click the Add Block button.
   
2. Select the File block.
   
3. Click Upload or Media Library and navigate to the PDF file or document you want to link to. If you are uploading a PDF, it will automatically upload to your media folder.
   
4. Select the PDF you want to link to and click Select.
   
5. Adjust the PDF Settings.  
   – Click Open in New Tab if you want the pdf to open in a new tab.
   – Click Show Download Button if you want to show a file download button. The Download buttons allows the user to download the pdf rather than view it.
   
6. Click Save or Update to save your changes.

Link to a PDF in WordPress 

1. Open a post or page, put your cursor where you want to add the PDF link, and click Add Media.
   

   

2. Click Select Files and navigate to the PDF file or document you want to link to.
   

   

3. In the Insert Media screen, make sure the PDF you want to link to is checked.
   

   

4. In the Title field, enter the text you want to use for the PDF link.
5. Make sure Media File is selected in the Link To field.
6. Click Insert Into Post to add the PDF link.
7. Your PDF link is inserted into the text.
   

   

Note: If you link to a MS Word .doc file or a an Excel file, it will not display in the user’s browser. It will download the file to the user’s device. Click here if you want to link to an MP3 file.

Workaround to add PDF links to Gutenberg Paragraph Blocks and List Blocks

This procedure requires that you get the PDF or File URL from the Media Manager and then add that URL to a link in a Gutenberg Paragraph or List block. This procedure works on Gutenberg Paragraph and List blocks.

1. From the WordPress Admin screen, go to the Media and select the PDF you want to link to.
   The Attachment Details Screen is displayed.
   
2. Copy the PDF URL.
3. Open a post or page and select the link text in the Paragraph or List block.
   
4. Click the Link button and paste the PDF URL you copied in Step 2.
   
5. Click Link Settings.
   
6. Select Open in New Tab
7. Click the Apply button to add the link.
   
8. The link is inserted in the text. If you click on the link, you can see the PDF URL.
   
9. Click Save or Update to save your changes.