Are you trying to embed a PDF that contains fillable form fields, or one that requires a password to open? Both cases have specific limitations in PDF Embedder that are worth understanding before you proceed.
This guide explains how PDF Embedder handles forms inside PDFs and what happens with password-protected files.
Forms Inside PDFs
PDF Embedder renders form fields visually; a PDF with fillable fields will display in the embedded viewer without issue. However, users cannot type into those fields or submit responses through the embedded viewer. The form is view-only.
If you need users to fill in a form, the recommended approach is for the user to download the embedded PDF so they can complete the form offline and then upload the final filled document to your site.
Password-Protected PDFs
PDF Embedder Lite and Premium do not support PDFs that require a password to open. If a PDF has password protection applied, the viewer cannot load it.
If you need to restrict who can view a PDF, the recommended approach is to control access at the page level rather than at the file level. Our PDF Embedder Premium plugin on the Pro plan or higher lets you embed a PDF in a way that makes it difficult for users to obtain the original file. You can then restrict access to the WordPress page containing that embed using WordPress’s built-in page password feature or a membership plugin, so only authorized visitors can reach the page and view the document.
For guidance on restricting PDF access to specific users, see Displaying PDFs to Paying Users Only.
Frequently asked questions
Below are some common questions about forms and password protection in PDF Embedder.
Is there a workaround to support password-protected PDFs?
No workaround exists within PDF Embedder. Remove the password from the PDF before uploading it to WordPress, then control access at the page level if needed.