Written by Admin on 2025-05-06

How to Make WordPress Open PDFs in the Browser Instead of Downloading Them

One of the most frustrating things about websites is when clicking on a PDF link results in an immediate download instead of opening in the browser. This can interrupt the user's browsing experience and lead to confusion and frustration.

WordPress users can easily fix this issue by making a simple change to their site's settings. Here are the steps to take:

1. Access the WordPress dashboard and navigate to the "Settings" menu.
2. Select "Media" from the drop-down options.
3. Scroll down to "PDFs" and find the checkbox that says "Organize my uploads into month- and year-based folders." Uncheck this box.
4. Scroll down further to "Embeds" and find the checkbox that says "Auto-embeds." Check this box.
5. Click "Save Changes."

By following these steps, PDF links on the site will now open in the browser instead of downloading immediately. This makes the browsing experience more seamless and user-friendly.

It's important to note that not all browsers support opening PDFs in-browser, so it's best to test the site across different browsers to ensure a consistent experience for all users.

In conclusion, making this simple change to WordPress settings can greatly improve the user experience on the site. By allowing PDF links to open in the browser, users can more easily navigate and engage with the content on the site.