What is a PDF Popup?
A PDF Popup is a powerful and interactive way to display PDF documents directly within a modal window on your WordPress site. With Instant Popup Builder’s Premium PDF Popup Extension, you can showcase brochures, catalogs, guides, or any other documents to users in a clean, distraction-free viewer—without requiring them to download the file.
Note: The PDF Popup feature is available through a Premium Extension of Instant Popup Builder. Get this Extension.You may also need to check: How to Install a Single Extension? & How to Activate Your License Key?
Prerequisites
Make sure the PDF Popup extension is installed and activated in your WordPress setup.
Steps to Create a PDF Popup
- Navigate to PDF Popup Creation
Go to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to:
Instant Popup > Add New - Choose Popup Type
Under Choose Popup, select PDF Popup. This will open the PDF popup editor with the relevant settings. - Name Your Popup
Add a title for internal reference. (This name is not shown to the end user.) - Add PDF File
You have two options to load your PDF:- Upload File (Recommended) – Upload a PDF file directly to your WordPress Media Library.
- External URL – Add a public link to a PDF file hosted elsewhere. Make sure the file is publicly accessible; otherwise, it may not display.
Once uploaded or linked, a preview of your PDF will appear beneath the upload section.
- Save or Publish
You can Save as Draft or Publish your popup when ready.
PDF Popup Settings
In the Popup Settings, you can configure:
General Popup Settings:
- Display Rules
- Triggers (e.g., on page load, scroll, click)
- Limitations (e.g., show once per user)
- All other standard popup options.
PDF-Specific Settings:
- Allow Download
Adds a download button for users to save the PDF. - Require Login
Restricts access to logged-in users only. - Show Fullscreen Button
Displays a Fullscreen toggle for PDF viewing. - Show Toolbar
Allows users to see browser-native PDF toolbar (print, download, etc.).⚠️ Note: Toolbar behavior may vary depending on the browser. - Minimum Height (% of screen)
Sets the minimum height as a percentage of the viewport (default is 75%). - Height Mode
Choose between:Fixed
Responsive
(uses minimum height %)
- Zoom Level
Initial zoom level of the PDF (default: 100%). - Auto Open First Page
Set which page the viewer opens first (default is Page 1).
Final Step: Activate the Popup
After publishing, go to Instant Popups > All Popups and toggle ON your new popup to make it live for users.