Complete Guide: Embedding PDFs in HTML (Official Methods)

Adobe officially recommends using their PDF Embed API, which is a free JavaScript library designed specifically for embedding PDFs in web applications. While basic HTML methods like iframe, object, and embed tags can work, Adobe’s solution provides better browser compatibility, customization options, and handles PDF security considerations more effectively. For dynamically generated PDFs, Adobe’s API offers server-side processing capabilities that allow you to generate and display PDFs without uploading them to third-party services.

Contents

• Adobe’s Official Recommendation
• Comparison of HTML Embedding Methods
• Solutions for Dynamically Generated PDFs
• Best Practices and Implementation Tips
• Browser Compatibility Considerations

Adobe’s Official Recommendation

Adobe provides the PDF Embed API as their official solution for embedding PDFs in HTML. This is a free JavaScript library that allows developers to “quickly and easily embed PDFs in web applications with only a few lines of code” developer.adobe.com/document-services.

Key Features of Adobe PDF Embed API:

• Free and easy to implement - requires minimal code
• Rich customization options - control how PDFs appear and function
• Built-in PDF viewer - no need for external plugins
• Security features - handles PDF authentication and CORS issues
• Cross-browser compatibility - works across major browsers

Basic Implementation:

<div id="adobe-dc-view"></div>
<script src="https://documentcloud.adobe.com/view-sdk/main.js"></script>
<script>
  document.addEventListener("adobe_dc_view_sdk.ready", function(){
    var adobeDCView = new AdobeDC.View({clientId: "YOUR_CLIENT_ID"});
    adobeDCView.previewFile({
      content: { location: { url: "https://example.com/document.pdf" } },
      metaData: {fileName: "document.pdf"}
    }, {embedMode: "IN_LINE"});
  });
</script>

Comparison of HTML Embedding Methods

When considering basic HTML methods, here’s how the three main approaches compare:

iFrame Method

<iframe src="https://example.com/document.pdf" width="100%" height="600px"></iframe>

Pros:

• Good browser compatibility
• Works for dynamically generated content
• Easy to style with CSS
• Isolated environment (prevents conflicts)

Cons:

• Limited control over PDF viewer
• Security restrictions (CORS issues)
• May not display interactive PDF features properly

Object Method

<object data="https://example.com/document.pdf" type="application/pdf" width="100%" height="600px">
  <p>Alternative content for browsers that don't support PDF embedding.</p>
</object>

Pros:

• Better fallback content support - shows alternative content if PDF can’t be displayed
• More control over the embedded content
• Considered more modern than <embed> tag
• Better mobile device support

Cons:

• Internet Explorer/Edge compatibility issues
• More complex implementation

Embed Method

<embed src="https://example.com/document.pdf" type="application/pdf" width="100%" height="600px" />

Pros:

• Simple syntax
• Part of HTML5 specification
• Works well in modern browsers

Cons:

• No fallback content - users see nothing if PDF can’t be displayed
• Considered outdated compared to <object> tag
• Limited customization options

Method Comparison Summary

According to Stack Overflow developers, many teams use a hybrid approach using iFrame for Edge browser and object-tag for all other browsers to ensure maximum compatibility stackoverflow.com.

Solutions for Dynamically Generated PDFs

For dynamically generated PDFs that can’t be uploaded to third-party services, you have several options:

1. Adobe PDF Embed API with Server-Side Generation

Adobe’s API can handle dynamically generated PDFs through their server-side document services:

// Server-side PDF generation (Node.js example)
const { DocumentServices } = require("@adobe/pdfservices-node-sdk");

async function generateAndEmbedPDF() {
  try {
    // Generate PDF content
    const pdfContent = await generatePDFDynamically();
    
    // Convert to blob or URL
    const pdfBlob = new Blob([pdfContent], {type: 'application/pdf'});
    const pdfUrl = URL.createObjectURL(pdfBlob);
    
    // Embed using Adobe API
    const adobeDCView = new AdobeDC.View({clientId: "YOUR_CLIENT_ID"});
    adobeDCView.previewFile({
      content: { location: { url: pdfUrl } },
      metaData: {fileName: "dynamic-document.pdf"}
    }, {embedMode: "IN_LINE"});
    
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('PDF generation failed:', error);
  }
}

2. Base64 Encoding Method

<object data="data:application/pdf;base64,JVBERi0xLjQKJcOkw7zDtsO..." type="application/pdf" width="100%" height="600px">
  <p>PDF cannot be displayed.</p>
</object>

Pros:

• No external file dependencies
• Works with dynamically generated content
• Good for small PDFs

Cons:

• Large base64 strings can impact performance
• Browser limitations on URL length

3. Temporary File Storage

Generate PDFs and store them temporarily on your server:

// Example using Express.js
app.get('/generate-pdf', async (req, res) => {
  try {
    const pdfBuffer = await generatePDFDynamically();
    const tempFileName = `temp-${Date.now()}.pdf`;
    const tempFilePath = path.join(__dirname, 'temp', tempFileName);
    
    fs.writeFileSync(tempFilePath, pdfBuffer);
    
    // Serve the PDF
    res.sendFile(tempFilePath);
    
    // Clean up after 5 minutes
    setTimeout(() => {
      fs.unlinkSync(tempFilePath);
    }, 300000);
    
  } catch (error) {
    res.status(500).send('PDF generation failed');
  }
});

4. PDF.js Integration

For complete control over PDF rendering:

<canvas id="pdf-canvas"></canvas>
<script src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/pdf.js/3.11.174/pdf.min.js"></script>
<script>
  // Dynamically load PDF
  async function renderPDF(pdfData) {
    const loadingTask = pdfjsLib.getDocument({data: pdfData});
    const pdf = await loadingTask.promise;
    const page = await pdf.getPage(1);
    
    const canvas = document.getElementById('pdf-canvas');
    const context = canvas.getContext('2d');
    
    await page.render({
      canvasContext: context,
      viewport: page.getViewport({scale: 1.5})
    }).promise;
  }
</script>

Best Practices and Implementation Tips

Responsive PDF Embedding

<div class="pdf-container">
  <div id="adobe-dc-view"></div>
</div>

<style>
  .pdf-container {
    position: relative;
    padding-bottom: 75%; /* 4:3 aspect ratio */
    height: 0;
    overflow: hidden;
  }
  
  #adobe-dc-view {
    position: absolute;
    top: 0;
    left: 0;
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%;
  }
</style>

Accessibility Considerations

• Always provide alternative content
• Add appropriate ARIA labels
• Ensure keyboard navigation works
• Include download options for accessibility

Security Considerations

• Use HTTPS for PDF serving
• Implement proper CORS headers
• Consider authentication for sensitive documents
• Validate PDF content if accepting user uploads

Performance Optimization

• Lazy load PDFs when they enter viewport
• Consider PDF size and compression
• Implement loading indicators
• Use progressive loading for large PDFs

Browser Compatibility Considerations

Cross-Browser Testing Strategy

• Chrome/Firefox/Safari: All three methods work well
• Internet Explorer/Edge: <object> tag has issues; iFrame is more reliable
• Mobile Devices: <object> tag provides better mobile support
• Older Browsers: Always provide fallback content

Hybrid Implementation Example

<!-- Fallback content -->
<noscript>
  <p>Please enable JavaScript to view the embedded PDF.</p>
  <a href="https://example.com/document.pdf" target="_blank">Download PDF</a>
</noscript>

<!-- Modern browsers with JavaScript support -->
<div id="pdf-container">
  <div id="adobe-dc-view"></div>
</div>

<!-- Fallback for browsers without Adobe API support -->
<object id="pdf-object" data="https://example.com/document.pdf" 
        type="application/pdf" width="100%" height="600px" 
        style="display: none;">
  <p>PDF cannot be displayed. 
    <a href="https://example.com/document.pdf" target="_blank">Download PDF</a>
  </p>
</object>

<script>
  // Check if Adobe API is available
  if (typeof AdobeDC !== 'undefined') {
    // Use Adobe API
    const adobeDCView = new AdobeDC.View({clientId: "YOUR_CLIENT_ID"});
    adobeDCView.previewFile({
      content: { location: { url: "https://example.com/document.pdf" } },
      metaData: {fileName: "document.pdf"}
    }, {embedMode: "IN_LINE"});
    
    // Hide fallback
    document.getElementById('pdf-object').style.display = 'none';
  } else {
    // Fallback to object tag
    document.getElementById('pdf-container').style.display = 'none';
    document.getElementById('pdf-object').style.display = 'block';
  }
</script>

Conclusion

1. Adobe’s official recommendation is the PDF Embed API, which provides the most robust solution with excellent browser compatibility and customization options.

2. For basic embedding, the <object> tag is generally preferred over <embed> due to better fallback support, while <iframe> offers good isolation but limited control over the PDF viewer.

3. Dynamically generated PDFs can be handled through Adobe’s server-side services, Base64 encoding, temporary file storage, or PDF.js integration depending on your specific requirements.

4. Always implement proper fallbacks and consider accessibility, security, and performance when choosing your PDF embedding method.

5. Test across browsers and consider using hybrid approaches to ensure the broadest compatibility, especially for enterprise applications.

Sources

1. Adobe PDF Embed API - Official Documentation
2. PDF Embed API Getting Started Guide
3. Recommended way to embed PDF in HTML - Stack Overflow
4. Embed PDF in HTML: 6 methods - Nutrient Blog
5. <PDF Embed API How Tos - Adobe Developer Guide](https://developer.adobe.com/document-services/docs/overview/pdf-embed-api/howtos/)
6. GitHub - Adobe PDF Embed API Samples
7. <embed vs object - W3Docs](https://www.w3docs.com/snippets/html/how-to-embed-pdf-in-html.html)