# Embed a PDF from a URL in Confluence

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](https://help.gocapable.com/pdf-embed/embed-a-large-pdf-in-confluence.html).

---

## 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.

📝

Pasting a PDF link straight into the editor does not create the macro. Insert the macro first, then paste the link into **PDF URL**. See [Pasting a PDF link into the editor does not create a PDF embed](https://help.gocapable.com/pdf-embed/pasting-a-pdf-link-into-the-editor-does-not-create-a-pdf-embed.html).

---

## 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"](https://help.gocapable.com/pdf-embed/this-pdf-is-too-large.html).                             |
| The website hosting this PDF blocked the request. | The host refuses outside requests. Attach the file instead. See [this page](https://help.gocapable.com/pdf-embed/the-website-hosting-this-pdf-blocked-the-request.html). |
| This file does not look like a PDF                | The link points at a web page. Use the direct .pdf link. See [this page](https://help.gocapable.com/pdf-embed/this-file-does-not-look-like-a-pdf.html).                  |
| This PDF is password protected.                   | Remove the password, or attach an unprotected copy. See [this page](https://help.gocapable.com/pdf-embed/this-pdf-is-password-protected.html).                           |

---

## Related

### [Public PDF links](https://help.gocapable.com/pdf-embed/public-pdf-links.html)

How public links are fetched.

### [PDF embed](https://help.gocapable.com/pdf-embed/pdf-embed.html)

Every setting of the macro.

### [Plain-English load errors](https://help.gocapable.com/pdf-embed/plain-english-load-errors.html)

Every load error in plain words.

### [Limits](https://help.gocapable.com/pdf-embed/limits.html)

The 2.5 MB cap and others.

---

_A link in, a readable document out._