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How to fix: PDF file with link cloaking only displays the first page
How to fix: PDF file with link cloaking only displays the first page
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Written by Tsvetana Dimitrova
Updated over 5 months ago

Sometimes due to browser limitations, incorrect embedding methods or incomplete configurations a cloaked PDF link only displays the first page of the document.

One simple and effective solution to the above issue is to use the Google Docs Viewer.

It allows you to view PDF files within your browser without the need for any additional plugins.

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Append your cloaked PDF link to the following web address: http://docs.google.com/gview?embedded=true&url=.

    Example:

    If your cloaked PDF URL looks like this:

    https://yourdomain.com/path/to/your.pdf

    You need to modify it to:

    http://docs.google.com/gview?embedded=true&url=https://yourdomain.com/path/to/your.pdf 

  2. Open the modified link in your browser.

Benefits of Using Google Docs Viewer

  • Cross-Browser Compatibility: Google Docs Viewer ensures that your PDF is rendered consistently across different browsers.

  • No Additional Plugins Required: Users do not need to install any additional plugins or software to view the PDF.

  • Handles Complex PDFs: Google Docs Viewer can handle complex PDFs that might not render correctly in some native browser viewers.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any other issues, please consider the following:

  • URL Encoding: Ensure your PDF URL is properly encoded. Special characters in URLs need to be encoded to prevent errors.

  • Correct URL: Verify that the URL to your PDF file is correct and accessible.

  • Internet Connection: Ensure you have a stable internet connection, as Google Docs Viewer requires an active connection to fetch and render the PDF.

  • Link Cloaking Service: Ensure that your link cloaking service supports redirection without altering the URL structure in a way that Google Docs Viewer cannot process.

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