Upload a PDF and show it on a Confluence page

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To upload a PDF and show it on a Confluence page, insert the PDF embed (Capable) macro, set Types of file to New File Upload and choose the file under Upload a PDF. The macro attaches the PDF to the page you are editing and switches itself to show that attachment, so there is no separate attach step.

#Before you start

  • You are editing the page. Uploading is not available from the published view.

  • You can add attachments to the page. Drafts work too.

#Steps

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

  2. Set Types of file to New File Upload.

  3. Under Upload a PDF, choose the PDF on your computer.

  4. Wait for the upload to finish. Types of file changes to Existing Page Attachment with your file selected.

  5. Choose the layout and buttons, close the configuration window and publish the page.

#What happens next

The PDF is now an ordinary attachment of the page, so it shows under the page's attachments and follows the page's permissions. To update it later, upload a new version of the attachment; the embed follows it.

Because attachments are read in the browser with the reader's own Confluence permissions, this route has no 2.5 MB cap. It is the reliable choice for large or private documents.

#If it does not work

  • The field shows Uploading is only available when editing a page.: you opened the configuration outside the editor. Edit the page and try again. See this troubleshooting page.

  • The upload shows an error under the field: you may not have permission to add attachments, or the file is over your site's attachment size limit.

Upload once, embedded straight away.