How to Embed a PDF File in HTML with HTML Tags and Tool

Embedding PDF files in HTML pages allows users to view PDF document content directly in the browser window without downloading the file first. This practice allows for the seamless integration of comprehensive information, rich content, and visually engaging materials into your website. Whether you're sharing reports, brochures, e-books, or any other document, embedding PDFs enhances the overall user experience and expands the depth of knowledge transfer. Furthermore, embedding PDFs in HTML ensures that the document formatting and layout are preserved so users can view the content exactly as intended by the author. This article will explore ways to embed PDFs in HTML pages, including using the object and iframe tags and other alternative solutions to ensure successful and effective embedding. Besides, we'll delve into responsive design techniques to provide a consistent viewing experience across different devices and screen sizes. So, let's not wait any moment and begin to embed PDF in HTML!

How to Use embed Tag for PDF in HTML

The embed tag is commonly used to embed various external content types, such as PDF files, into an HTML document. It is a self-closing tag that does not require a closing tag. It has several attributes that allow you to specify the source of the content and customize its appearance and behavior. When embedding a PDF using the embed tag, you can change the appearance and behavior of the embedded PDF by setting attributes. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use the embed tag to embed a PDF in HTML, with an explanation of the tag and customization attributes:

1. Embed the PDF to HTML

• "src": This attribute specifies the source (URL) of the PDF file you want to embed. Replace "your_pdf_file.pdf" with your PDF document's URL or file path.
• “type”: This specifies the content type. For PDFs, you can set it to "application/pdf". You can set it after the “src” attribute.
• "width" and "height": These attributes set the dimensions (in pixels) of the embedded PDF. You can adjust the values to fit your layout requirements.

2. Attributes to Customize embed Tag

Here is a list of common attributes for the HTML embed tag, which can be used to customize the embedding of various types of content, including PDFs:

• src: Specify the content's source URL or file path you want to embed.
• type: Specifies the content type or MIME type of the embedded content.
• width: Sets the width of the embedded content (in pixels).
• height: Sets the height of the embedded content (in pixels).
• allowfullscreen: Allows or disallows fullscreen viewing for multimedia content (values can be "true" or "false").
• align: Specifies the alignment of the embedded PDF within the surrounding content (values can be "top," "middle," "bottom," "left," "right," "absmiddle," or "absbottom").

Display a PDF in HTML with object Tag

The object tag is used to embed external content, such as multimedia, interactive applications, and image to HTML documents. When you add PDF file in HTML using the object tag, you can specify the source of the PDF file. Also, you can define fallback content for users whose browsers do not support the embedded content. Here's a guide to the object tag and a comparison of its pros and cons compared to the embed tag:

1. User Guide of object Tag

• Start by creating an HTML document where you want to embed the PDF. Then, insert the object tag in your HTML code. Specify the following attributes within the tag: data, type, width, and height.
• Inside the object tag, add alternative content or text that will be displayed in browsers that do not support the embedded PDF. This is useful for accessibility and compatibility.
• Save the HTML file and launch it in a web browser to ensure the embedded PDF displays correctly. Verify that the fallback content is displayed in browsers that do not support the PDF.

2. Pros & Cons of object Tag Compared to embed Tag

Pros:

• Fallback Content. The object tag allows you to provide alternative content for browsers not supporting the embedded PDF. This can be helpful for accessibility and compatibility.
• More Control. The object tag provides more flexibility and control over displaying the embedded content. You can style and structure the fallback content as needed.
• Validation. Using the object tag may result in more valid HTML, as it follows the recommended approach for embedding content with an optional fallback.

Cons:

• Complexity. The object tag and its associated elements (like fallback content) can make the HTML code more complex, especially if you have many embedded objects on a page.
• Browser Support. While the object tag provides better fallback options, it may not be as widely supported as the embed tag in older browsers. It might need help understanding the fallback content.

Use iframe to Embed PDFs in HTML

The iframe (short for inline frame) tag is an HTML element used to embed another web page or external content within the current HTML document. It is frequently employed in web pages to incorporate additional content from an external origin, like advertisements, within that particular webpage. When used to embed a PDF, the iframe tag displays the PDF document within a designated frame or container on your web page. To display PDF file in HTML using the iframe tag, follow the steps below.

User Guide:

• First, create an HTML document where you want to add the PDF. Afterward, insert the iframe tag in your HTML code and specify the following attributes within the tag: src, width, height, and title.
• You can further customize the iframe to suit your needs. For instance, you can use CSS to adjust its styling or set additional attributes such as "scrolling" to control whether scrollbars are displayed.
• Keep the HTML document and access it in a web browser to verify that the embedded PDF displays correctly within the iframe. You should see the PDF document within the designated frame.

Convert PDF to HTML Using Advanced Tool

AcePDF is a powerful conversion tool for various PDF tasks, including PDF into HTML conversion. One advantage of using a PDF-to-HTML converter over manually coding HTML tags is that it preserves the complex formatting and layout of the original PDF document, saving time and ensuring accuracy. The software provides a "Convert from" utility, enabling you to export PDF files into PPT, HTML, Excel, TXT, nad JPG formats. Also, it boasts excellent compatibility with popular web browsers, ensuring that your HTML files can be effortlessly opened in Chrome, Safari, Internet Explorer, and Firefox. Moreover, AcePDF allows the capability of batch processing, enabling the conversion of numerous PDF files simultaneously, thus saving valuable time compared to converting them one by one. Detailed tutorials for using the app to show PDF file in HTML can be found below the download icons.

Step 1 Launch the PDF to HTML Converter

Firstly, click on the "Download" icon above to acquire the AcePDF installer. Afterward, run the installation process, following the on-screen instructions. Once the installation is complete, open the application and begin acquainting yourself with its features.

Step 2 Add the PDF and Convert it To HTML

Subsequently, navigate to the lower left panel and click "Batch Process" to access various tools. Afterward, select "Convert from" from the provided options, then drop the PDF file you wish to convert to HTML. Also, you can click “Add files” to add more PDFs. Later, specify "HTML (.html)" as the desired file format and customize the designated folder to your preferences. Finally, initiate the conversion process by hitting the "Convert" button.

Step 3 Access the Converted HTML File

Upon completing the conversion procedure, you can navigate to the designated output location to find the newly created HTML file. The filename will mirror the source document but will be in HTML format. Then, press the right button on your mouse on the recently converted HTML file, select "Open with," and you will see a list of web browsers appear, allowing you to see the file after it has been converted.

Common Best Practices for PDF Embedding

Displaying a pdf in HTML can be valuable for presenting documents, reports, or information to your website visitors. However, ensuring a seamless and user-friendly experience requires adhering to best practices. To that end, consider providing clear labels for embedded PDF links, optimizing mobile responsiveness and touch-friendly navigation. Also, you can rigorously test across various browsers and devices. Following these best practices can enhance the user experience when embedding PDFs in your web content.

• Provide clear labels for embedded PDF links. Ensure links or buttons to access embedded PDFs have clear and descriptive labels. This makes it obvious to users that they are accessing a PDF file. Avoid generic labels like "Click Here" or "PDF" and instead use titles that describe the content or purpose of the PDF.
• Ensure mobile responsiveness and touch-friendly navigation. Design your embedded PDFs and the surrounding elements to be responsive to various screen sizes and touch-friendly for mobile users. Consider using responsive design techniques to adapt the PDF's display to different devices and ensure that navigation is easy on touchscreens. Also, if your PDFs are image-based, you can use OCR technology to convert scanned image to PDF. This can help preserve the formatting of your files once you embed them into HTML.
• Test across various browsers and devices for consistency. Thoroughly test your embedded PDFs across web browsers and devices to ensure a consistent and reliable user experience. PDF rendering can vary between browsers, so it's crucial to verify that your embedded PDFs display correctly and are functional across the most commonly used browsers (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) and different devices (desktop, mobile, tablet).

Conclusion

Incorporating PDFs into HTML documents is an effective way to share information, reports, and papers online. You can embed PDF on webpage through various HTML tags such as embed, object, and iframe, each with its unique advantages. The embed tag offers simplicity, while the object tag provides flexibility and fallback options. Meanwhile, the iframe tag ensures seamless integration. Moreover, PDF to HTML converters, such as AcePDF, streamline the process and maintain the integrity of complex formatting. Irrespective of the method chosen, best practices, including accessibility, responsiveness, labeling, and thorough testing, are essential. By selecting the most suitable approach and adhering to best practices, you can offer an enhanced and accessible experience for your website's users.

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