How to Add a PDF on Wix

Did you know?
According to Smallpdf’s 2025 research, 98% of organizations use PDF files as their standard format for sharing important documents externally.

Keeping potential clients on your Wix page while sharing important documents is the key to better engagement. Whether you’re displaying product specifications, client portfolios, event guidelines, or downloadable resources, embedding PDFs directly on your Wix website keeps visitors immersed in your content rather than sending them elsewhere.

The most straightforward way to embed a PDF on Wix is with the PDF Embed Widget, which displays professional documents with full design control and no coding required. Your visitors can view, download, and interact with your PDFs right from your page while your Wix design remains perfectly intact.

Below, you’ll find two ways to get started: a quick four-step setup for those who want immediate results, and a comprehensive guide with detailed instructions for anyone who wants to explore every customization option. Let’s begin with the fastest approach.

Add a PDF to Wix in 4 Quick Steps

Here’s the speediest way to embed PDFs on Wix right now:

1. Open the PDF Embed editor and select a layout template.
2. Upload your PDF files or add them using direct URLs.
3. Customize the appearance to match your brand.
4. Copy the embed code and paste it into an HTML element on your Wix page.

🚀 Create your PDF embed now in the live editor!

Why PDF Embedding Transforms Your Wix Website

Adding PDF functionality to your Wix page delivers measurable benefits that go beyond simple document sharing. Here’s what sets a dedicated PDF solution apart from Wix’s native options:

For a complete overview of available functionality, visit the Features Page.

Step-by-Step: Embedding and Customizing Your PDF on Wix

Ready to go deeper into the process? This section walks you through configuring, styling, and deploying your PDF Embed widget on Wix, from initial setup to final publication.

1. Choose Your PDF Layout Template

Start by opening the PDF Embed editor and selecting the template that best fits your use case. Three layout options are available:

• File Viewer displays your PDF directly on the page with scrolling, pagination, and zoom controls. Choose this for product manuals, brochures, guides, or detailed documents that visitors want to read without leaving your site.
• Grid layout arranges PDF file icons in a grid format. Perfect for displaying multiple documents like case studies, certificates, resource collections, or document portfolios in an organized grid.
• List layout stacks file icons vertically in a single column. Ideal for resource libraries, downloadable guides, or sequential document collections where visitors prefer a straightforward browsable list.

Once you’ve selected your template, click “Continue with this template” to proceed.

2. Upload Your PDF Files

Navigate to the ‘Content’ tab and add your documents. You have three convenient options:

• Upload from your computer – Click the upload button and select a PDF file from your device.
• Add by URL – Paste a direct link to a PDF hosted elsewhere (Google Drive, Dropbox, your server, or any accessible URL).
• Select from recent uploads – If you’ve already added PDFs before, choose from your recently uploaded files to save time.

You can add unlimited PDFs to the same widget. To remove files you no longer need, click the three dots menu next to the file and select the trash icon.

3. Adjust Layout and Display Settings

Go to the ‘Layout’ tab to control how your PDFs will appear on desktop and mobile devices. You can customize:

• Widget width and aspect ratio
• Number of columns and rows (for Grid and List layouts)
• Spacing between items
• Icon visibility and style
• Download label display (visibility, link text, and appearance)

4. Customize Colors and Icon Design

In the ‘Appearance’ tab, personalize the widget styling to match your Wix site’s brand. You can:

• Choose between light or dark theme
• Select icon color or upload your own image as a custom icon
• Adjust text colors (widget title, file name, Download label)
• Set background colors and widget background
• Customize font sizes for optimal readability

Advanced users can access Custom CSS and Custom JS fields within the Appearance tab for deeper control. If custom code isn’t your area, ready-to-use CSS examples are available in our Community Forum.

5. Generate and Copy Your Embed Code

Once satisfied with your setup, click the green “Add to website for free” button. This generates your unique embed code. Copy the complete code snippet that appears—you’ll need it for the next step on your Wix site.

6. Embed Your PDF Widget on Your Wix Page

Now it’s time to add your PDF to your Wix website backend. Here’s the complete process:

1. Open your Wix site editor and navigate to the page where you want to add the PDF.
2. Click the ‘+ Add’ button on the left sidebar.
3. Scroll down and select ‘More’ to see additional options.
4. Find and click ‘Embed’ to access embedding tools.
5. Select ‘HTML iframe’ from the embed options.
6. In the HTML iframe window that appears, click ‘Enter Code’.
7. Paste your complete Elfsight embed code into the text field.
8. Click ‘Apply’ to close the window and add the widget to your page.
9. Reposition and resize the widget as needed to fit your page layout.
10. Click ‘Publish’ to save your changes and make your PDF live.

PDF Solutions: Comparing Your Options on Wix

Multiple methods exist for adding PDFs to Wix pages—each approach has distinct advantages and limitations. Here’s a detailed comparison of the options available to Wix users:

Wix Native PDF Viewer App

Wix offers a built-in PDF Viewer app that you can install for free directly from the Wix App Market. This native solution provides basic PDF functionality without third-party dependencies.

1. Add the PDF Viewer app. Click the Add Apps button in the Wix editor, search for “PDF Viewer,” and select the one developed by Wix. Click “Add to Site.”
2. Upload your PDF file. Once added to your page, hover over the PDF Viewer and click Upload PDF. Select your file from the Wix Media Manager.
3. Customize basic settings. Choose a layout preset and adjust colors and fonts through the app’s limited appearance options.
4. Publish your page. Save your changes and publish. Your PDF is now embedded on your Wix page.

More details are available in Wix’s official support documentation.

Wix File Download Links

The simplest Wix-native approach is uploading a PDF file and creating a download link on any button or text element. Visitors can download the file directly from your page.

1. Upload your PDF. Go to Media Manager, upload your PDF file, and note its URL.
2. Create a link or button. Add text or a button element to your page.
3. Attach the PDF link. Select the text or button, click the link icon, and paste your PDF URL.
4. Choose link behavior. Decide whether the PDF should open in a new tab or download directly.
5. Publish your page. Save and publish your changes.

Learn more in Wix’s file linking guide.

Google Drive PDF Embed

Upload your PDF to Google Drive and embed it on Wix using a Code Block. This method displays the PDF viewer directly on your Wix page without additional apps.

1. Upload to Google Drive. Store your PDF in a Google Drive folder and make it publicly shareable.
2. Get the embed code. Right-click the file, select “Share,” and copy the embed iframe code provided by Google Drive.
3. Add a Code Block to Wix. In your Wix editor, click “Add,” select “More,” then click “Embed” and choose “HTML iframe”.
4. Paste the embed code. Click “Enter Code” and paste Google Drive’s iframe code into the HTML field.
5. Apply and publish. Click “Apply,” resize as needed, and publish your page.

Full instructions are available in Google Drive’s sharing and embedding guide.

Quick Comparison Table

📝 Best Practices: Maximize Your PDF Performance on Wix

Drawing from experience with thousands of Wix users, we’ve identified specific, actionable adjustments that measurably improve how your embedded PDFs perform. Here’s our best practices checklist:

These practices work because they address visitor behavior: faster loading preserves attention, clear design reduces confusion, and strategic placement ensures your valuable content gets discovered and used by your audience.

FAQ: Solving Common Wix PDF Embedding Questions

Here are answers to the most frequent questions from Elfsight users embedding PDFs on Wix:

Getting Started: Embed Your First PDF on Wix Today

Embedding PDFs on your Wix website transforms how visitors interact with your content. Whether you’re sharing product specifications, client success stories, event guides, or downloadable resources, well-presented PDFs keep your audience engaged and on your page—converting casual browsers into informed customers, qualified leads, and long-term clients.

The process is straightforward, takes just minutes, and requires no coding skills. Choose the solution that matches your needs—Wix’s native options for simplicity, or the PDF Embed widget for advanced customization and File Viewer functionality that keeps visitors reading without leaving your site. Have questions, need help with setup, or want to share how you’re using PDF embeds on Wix? Our active Community Forum and support team are always ready to assist. Start embedding your first PDF today and watch your visitor engagement increase.

Source cited: PDF Statistics & Usage in 2025

Article by

Kristina Tyumeneva

Content Manager

Hi, I’m Kristina – content manager at Elfsight. My articles cover practical insights and how-to guides on smart widgets that tackle real website challenges, helping you build a stronger online presence.

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