Embed a PDF into a Rise course

Hi Donna,

To insert a pdf, go to All Blocks > Multimedia > Attachment option. Here you can insert the pdf file in your RISE course.

Thanks

Sajna

Hi Donna. Sajna's suggestion is nice because it will allow your learners to download the .pdf. However, to point learners to a .pdf that's on the web, you'll want to use the embed block, located in the blocks library under "multimedia." 

Here's a quick Peek walking you through how it works. Hope this helps!

Hi, 

and is there a way to display the PDF opened? not to be downloaded?

Thanks

Yes, there is a way. 

If you are able to find a secure place to upload your PDFs to, you can link to the PDFs rather than embed them in your Rise course.

When the PDFs are linked they will open instead of downloading.

Is there a way to link to a pdf that won't have the branding of the site hosting the document?  We end up with a reference to Google Docs in two places which looks really odd.

Just figured out a bit of a cheat to embed a pdf in a course.

1. Upload your PDF as a file attachment to your Rise course.

2. Right click on the download link in the file attachment box and copy the link address.

3. Insert an "Embed" block and use the copied link as the url.

Hi Victoria,

I tried your method, but was still able to maximize the document into Google Drive (and then download/print). Was there another step I missed?

Hi Victoria,

That worked perfectly. Thanks.

I'm having the same issue. When clicking the "pop out" icon, the link changes to a google drive location, but the pdf is not saved in a google drive. Any updates on this? Is this an Articulate thing?

Hi Jenna! We use Embedly to embed rich media in Rise 360 courses. Embedded PDF files opening in Google Drive is a function of Embedly, so what you're seeing is expected behavior. 

You may be able to work around this by embedding the document in the lesson using an iFrame code. Use the formula <iframe src="URL"></iframe>, and just replace URL with the link for the PDF you want to embed.

Hi Sarah,

thanks for the info!. Nevertheless, I have read that on June 8, 2020, Rise 360 share links that are embedded in an iframe will no longer display in courses….therefore, I don´t think this could be a long term solution….

Hi V F! I just want to clarify that you can still use iframe to embed web content into your lessons. The June 8th change only has to do with how you’re sharing your entire course. 

Might be good though to have the ability to import and embed into the rise module itself? for example if we create a module that then has to be translated into many languages, some countries may not permit access to google drive. It might be useful for something similar to the embedded resources option in Storyline.

This worked perfectly for me. MVP.

Hi! I am struggling to embed a pdf that has fillable fields. I can do it as an interactive block button that sends allows users to download it, but even with an embed code it doesn't allow users to fill it out when it's embedded using the multimedia block. The pdf is hosted on my client's DAM - (pandohub.com) I can get share links or embed codes for: document view-pdf; document view and download; document view HTML5. Ideally I want to allow users to fill in fields without leaving rise. 

Hi, Ive been using the option Victoria Blacik suggested for almost 2 years now, all of a sudden it keeps wanting to download it instead of displaying it, but it works when I use a different url. Any advice?

Hi Janelle!

It looks like you are using the URL of a PDF file you uploaded in an Attachment block in an iFrame code in your Embed block.

We've noticed a behavior change when clicking an Attachment block, where the PDF file gets downloaded instead of being opened in a new browser tab. This seems related to the issue you reported where embedding the Attachment block (using iFrame) also downloads the PDF file.

We've shared this with our team, and we'll keep this thread posted on any updates that can help!

In the meantime, here are some of the workarounds that you can try:

1. Use the direct URL of the Attachment block when embedding the PDF file (don't use an iFrame code).
2. Upload the PDF file to another web server, and use the URL in the iFrame code in the Embed block.
3. Publish the Rise 360 course with the Attachment block to Review 360. In the published Review 360 course, get the URL of the Attachment block (right-click, Copy link address), then use this URL in the iFrame code in an Embed block in Rise.

Please let me know if you have additional questions or clarifications!

Thank you so much! That worked!

So happy to hear that, Janelle! You're most welcome! Just reach out again should you need anything else in Rise!

Thanks for the workaround, Gren. It is a little convoluted though. I've been having the same issues recently. Any reasons why the recent misbehaviour? Is this issue addressed as a priority? Stef

Hi Stefaniado,

We are investigating this recent change in behavior for PDFs in an Attachment block.  We don't have an update yet, but we will update this thread once we find out more.

Good news, everyone! We fixed the issue where embedding the Attachment block an using iFrame would download the PDF file.

Please have a look at your embedded PDF file, and let us know if you have any further trouble with this! 

Amazing, you just saved me from having to approve endless requests to access an external sharepoint folder link.