How to Set Up and Use the Secure PDF Embedder Plugin

If you’re looking for a way to securely embed PDF files in your WordPress site while tracking user progress and allowing flexible access controls, the Secure PDF Embedder plugin is the perfect solution. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the setup and demonstrate how to use its features effectively.

Step 1: Download, Install, and Activate the Plugin

Download the Plugin

You can download the Secure PDF Embedder plugin directly from the Frost Line Works WordPress Plugins page.

Install and Activate

Navigate to Plugins > Add New in your WordPress admin dashboard.
Click Upload Plugin, select the plugin zip file you just downloaded, and click Install Now.
Once the plugin is installed, click Activate to enable it.

After activation, the plugin will appear under the FLW Plugins menu in your WordPress admin dashboard.

Step 2: Configure Plugin Settings

The Secure PDF Embedder plugin offers a variety of customization options, including button colors, background colors, text colors, and access controls. Here’s how to configure these settings:

Navigate to FLW Plugins > Secure PDF Embedder in your WordPress admin dashboard.
Switch to the Settings tab.

Adjusting Plugin Colors

Join Now URL: Specify the URL where users without the required roles (e.g., Patreon members) will be redirected when clicking the “Join Now” button.
Button Colors: Customize the background color of the buttons.
Button Hover Colors: Define hover effects for better interactivity.
Button Text Colors: Adjust the text color on each button to ensure readability and match your site’s design.
Footer Background Color: Change the background color of the footer bar where the buttons are displayed.
Viewer Outline Color: Customize the border color of the PDF viewer.

After making changes, click Save Changes to apply your settings.

Step 3: Generate and Embed a Secure PDF

Using the Shortcode Generator

Go to the Generator tab under FLW Plugins > Secure PDF Embedder.
Enter the PDF URL (a link to the PDF file you want to embed).
Check the following options based on your needs:
- Show Download Button: Display a download button below the PDF viewer.
- Show Print Button: Add a print button for easy printing.
- Members Only: Restrict download access to users with specific roles (e.g., “administrator” or “patreon_member”).
Click Generate Shortcode to create a custom shortcode.
Copy the generated shortcode and paste it into any page or post where you want the PDF to appear.

Example Shortcode

Here’s an example of what your shortcode might look like:

[secure_pdf url="https://example.com/yourfile.pdf" show_download="true" show_print="false" members_only="true"]

Step 4: Display PDF Files with Custom Access Controls

Once the shortcode is placed in your content, the PDF will be displayed with the options you selected. Here’s how it behaves:

Download Button: If enabled, users with appropriate roles will see a “Download” button.
Join Now Button: Users without access will see a “Join Now” button that redirects to your specified URL.
Print Button: If enabled, a “Print” button will allow users to print the document directly.

Advanced Features

Progress Tracking: The plugin automatically tracks users’ reading progress and restores their last-read page when they revisit.
Custom Styling: Fully customize the appearance of the buttons, text, and viewer via the settings.
Access Controls: Use the “Members Only” feature to restrict access to PDFs for specific user roles.

Conclusion

The Secure PDF Embedder plugin is an all-in-one solution for embedding secure PDFs in WordPress with powerful customization and user-friendly features. By following this guide, you can quickly set up the plugin and start sharing PDF content securely and effectively.

Download the Secure PDF Embedder plugin now and give your WordPress site a secure and interactive way to display PDFs!