How to Download View-only PDF from Any Website
Summary :
This page introduces some viable methods to help you download embedded and view-only PDF files from any website, make sure to have a try!
Table of Contents
How to Download View-only PDF from Website
Downloading embedded PDF files that are view-only from websites can sometimes be tricky, as the PDF might be displayed within an inline frame or as an object element.
To help you solve that problem, here are some methods to help you download embedded PDF files from websites. Note that these methods are not guaranteed to work, but they definitely worth a try.
Right-Click and Save
The “Right-click and save” feature in web browsers helps download embedded PDFs by allowing users to directly access the file’s source.
When right-clicking on the embedded PDF, the browser’s context menu provides options like “Save As” or “Save Link As,” which enable users to save the file locally.
This method is simple and efficient, but may not work on all websites due to varying implementations.
Step 1. Go to the webpage with the PDF you want.
Step 2. Right-click on the PDF file.
Step 3. Click Save as or Save link as from the context menu.
Right-Click Save As
Step 4. In the pop-up Save As window, make sure the file name ends with .pdf instead of .html, so you’ll know you can get the actual PDF file.
Check File Name
Inspect Element
The “Inspect element” tool in web browsers like Chrome and Firefox helps download embedded PDFs by revealing the file’s direct URL within the website’s source code.
By inspecting the “iframe” or “object” tag containing the PDF, users can locate the “src” attribute with the URL. Copying and pasting this URL into a new browser tab allows direct access and downloading of the PDF.
1. Right-click on the embedded PDF and select “Inspect” or “Inspect Element” to open the browser’s developer tools.
2. Look for the “iframe” or “object” tag with a “src” attribute containing the PDF file’s URL.
3. Copy the URL and paste it into a new browser tab or window to access the PDF directly.
4. You can then download the PDF using the browser’s built-in PDF viewer or by right-clicking and selecting “Save As.”
Inspect Element
Print to PDF
The Print to PDF feature provided in web browsers helps download PDFs over the web by converting the web page displaying the PDF into a new PDF file.
If you are unable to download the embedded PDF directly, you can try printing the web page to a PDF file. Most modern browsers have a built-in “Print to PDF” option.
To do this, press “Ctrl+P” (Windows) or “Cmd+P” (Mac) to open the print dialog, then select “Save as PDF” or “Microsoft Print to PDF” as the printer.
This approach circumvents direct access to the original PDF file, allowing users to save the content in a separate PDF document.
Step 1. Go to the website with the PDF you need.
Step 2. Open to display the PDF file so you can properly read it.
Step 3. Use the keyboard shortcut “Ctrl+P” (Windows) or “Cmd+P” (Mac) to open the print dialog, then select “Save as PDF” or “Microsoft Print to PDF” as the printer.
Step 4. Change the paper size if needed, and hit Print to save the webpage as a PDF file.
Print to PDF
Please note that some websites may have restrictions in place to prevent downloading of their content, and downloading copyrighted material without permission may be illegal. Always respect the website’s terms of service and the content owner’s rights.
More Methods
Use browser extensions
Browser extensions allow users to download PDFs by providing specialized tools that automate the process. These extensions can detect PDFs within web pages and offer a download button or context menu option.
This approach simplifies the process, enabling users to save embedded PDFs without manually searching for the file’s source or URL.
There are browser extensions available for popular browsers like Chrome and Firefox that can help you download embedded PDF files. Some examples include:
Use a website downloader
Website downloader services aid in downloading embedded PDFs by capturing entire websites, including their files and media.
These downloaders crawl the website, identifying and saving embedded PDFs along with other content.
This approach allows users to access and save PDFs offline, even if they’re not directly accessible through the site’s user interface.
Tools like HTTrack Website Copier can help you download an entire website, including embedded PDF files. However, this method might not be suitable if you only need a specific PDF file.
FAQs
Why can’t I download a PDF from a website?
If you’re unable to download an embedded PDF, it might be due to one of the following reasons:
- The website has disabled the download feature for the PDF viewer.
- Your browser settings or extensions are blocking downloads.
- The PDF is not actually embedded but is an image or other non-downloadable format.
Is it legal to download embedded PDFs from websites?
Downloading embedded PDFs is generally legal for personal use, as long as the content is publicly accessible and not protected by copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. However, it’s essential to respect the website’s terms of use and not distribute or reproduce the downloaded content without permission.
Can I download all embedded PDFs on a website at once?
There are specialized tools and software, such as website downloaders or web crawlers, that can download multiple embedded PDFs from a website.
However, using these tools may require some technical knowledge, and it’s important to ensure you have permission to download the content in bulk.
