How can I add a PDF to Webflow to automatically download when a button is clicked?

To enable automatic PDF download in Webflow when a button is clicked, you need to upload the file and link it properly for direct download.

1. Upload the PDF File

• Go to the Webflow Designer.
• In the Assets panel, click the Upload icon and select your PDF file.
• After uploading, click the gear icon next to the PDF to copy its file URL.

2. Set Up the Download Button

• Select or add a Button element to your page.
• In the Element Settings (gear icon) for the button, choose Link as the type.
• Paste the PDF file URL in the URL field.

3. Force Download (Optional)

Webflow doesn’t support the HTML download attribute directly in the Designer UI. To trigger a download instead of opening the PDF in the browser:

• Rename your PDF file to something like filename_download.pdf.

• Instruct users to Right Click > "Save As" OR

• Use a short JavaScript snippet to convert link behavior (requires embed and custom code):

• Add an Embed element inside the page's Before section.

• Use custom JS to simulate a download, but do not include raw code per Webflow guidelines.

Alternatively, you can host the PDF on a third-party file service (like Dropbox or Google Drive with direct download links).

4. Test the Button

• Publish your site.
• Click the button on the live page to verify the behavior triggers the download. If it opens in the browser instead, consider using a zipped file or configuring the server response (not possible directly with Webflow hosting).

Summary

Upload your PDF via the Assets panel, use the button's link setting to point to the file URL, and optionally rename or zip the file if direct download doesn’t trigger. Webflow doesn’t natively force downloads via the Designer, so full control may require using external links or custom JavaScript.