Embed a PDF from a URL in Confluence

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To embed a PDF from a URL in Confluence, insert the PDF embed (Capable) macro, keep Types of file on Public URL and paste a direct https link to the .pdf file into PDF URL. The file is fetched through Capable's proxy, so it must be public and no larger than 2.5 MB. For bigger or private files, attach them instead.

#Before you start

  • The link opens the PDF itself, not a web page about it, and starts with https://.

  • The file is public: no sign-in, no cookie, no password.

  • It is 2.5 MB or smaller. Larger files: see Embed a large PDF in Confluence.

#Steps

  1. Edit the page, type /PDF and choose PDF embed (Capable).

  2. Leave Types of file on Public URL.

  3. Paste the link into PDF URL.

  4. Wait for the preview, then choose the layout and buttons you want.

  5. Close the configuration window and publish the page.

#What happens next

The macro reads the PDF from the website each time the page is viewed, so a change on the website shows up on the page. If the website moves or deletes the file, the macro shows This PDF could not be found.

Readers who are not signed in to Confluence see PDF unavailable instead of the document.

#If it does not work

Message

What to do

This PDF is too large

Download the file and attach it to the page. See "This PDF is too large".

The website hosting this PDF blocked the request.

The host refuses outside requests. Attach the file instead. See this page.

This file does not look like a PDF

The link points at a web page. Use the direct .pdf link. See this page.

This PDF is password protected.

Remove the password, or attach an unprotected copy. See this page.

A link in, a readable document out.