How can I upload a PDF or file to Webflow so that it opens or downloads when clicked on a link? Is there a Webflow tutorial available for this?
TL;DR
- Upload the PDF using Webflow's Asset Manager, copy its URL, then link it through a Text Link or Button element.
- For large files, host externally (e.g., Google Drive or Dropbox) and link the direct download URL.
To upload a PDF (or any file) in Webflow so users can click to open or download it, you need to use Webflow’s Asset Manager or an external link. Here's how to do it:
1. Use the Webflow Asset Manager to Upload the File
- Open Webflow Designer for your project.
- In the right-side panel, click the Assets panel (folder icon).
- Click the Upload icon to add your file (PDF, DOC, ZIP, etc.) from your computer.
- After uploading, right-click on the file and choose Copy Link—this gives you the hosted file's URL.
2. Create a Link in Webflow
- Drag a Text Link or Button element onto the canvas.
- Select the element and, in the right-side settings panel, choose Link Settings.
- Set the link to “URL” and paste the copied file URL.
- To make the file open in a new tab, check the box that says Open in new tab.
Note: PDF files generally open in the browser by default. If you want the file to prompt for download, users may need to right-click and "Save link as..." or you can zip the file to force download.
3. Optionally Use External File Hosting (For Large Files)
- If your PDF or file is large, consider hosting it on an external service like Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon S3, or Cloudinary.
- Get a direct link and paste it into the URL field of a link or button, following the same steps as above.
4. Webflow Tutorial for Reference
Webflow’s official tutorial on uploading files is here:
- Webflow University Resource: https://university.webflow.com/lesson/upload-assets
While this tutorial focuses on images and media, the steps are identical for PDFs and other file types.
Summary
To upload a PDF in Webflow, use the Asset Manager to upload and copy the file URL, then link to that URL via a Text Link or Button. For large files, use external storage. For official help, refer to Webflow University’s Upload Assets guide.