# How to Create a Link to a PDF: A Step-by-Step Guide URL: https://pdf.net/blog/how-to-create-a-link-to-a-pdf Published: 2025-11-25 Author: Alex Chen Reading time: 10 min Categories: PDF Features > You can create a link to a PDF by uploading it to Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive and updating its permissions to ‘Anyone with the link’. You can create a link to a PDF by **uploading it to Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive, then setting the sharing permissions to “Anyone with the link can view”**. Such links are great for sharing various types of documents, from short ones like invoices to longer ones like guides and reports. Forming a link that redirects to a PDF is convenient because you are likely already using cloud platforms in your workflow. Before uploading, though, you would want to ensure your PDF is polished; for this, you can easily use online editors, like pdf.net. In this guide, we will show you how to create a link to a PDF and share it via a hyperlink or HTML code. We will also provide tips on how to ensure your PDF is organized and optimized for sharing, so read on!. ## Key Takeaways - A PDF link allows viewers to click on it and access the file in a new browser tab; it is lighter, easier to share and update in the future, and more user-friendly. - You can create a link to a PDF on Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive. - After creating your PDF links, you can place them in a line of text, an image, or a button in an email or a Word/PowerPoint document; it is also possible to share them via HTML code. - To ensure your PDFs appear professional, polish them before uploading and creating links to them. ## What Does It Mean to Create a Link to a PDF? Creating a link to a PDF means providing a clickable [URL](https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/glossary/what-is-url/) within an element such as a button, image, or text that opens or downloads the file **when** **you click it. **It is different from [embedding a PDF](https://pdf.net/blog/how-to-embed-a-pdf-in-a-website), which displays the content of your document **directly** so others can view it without being redirected elsewhere. You can link to a PDF in an email, in another document, on a website, or on social media. This keeps your page loading fast and easy to share with others. For example, instead of loading a 20-page report on your webpage, which can cause **lagging**, **crashing**, or [**missing**](https://pdf.net/blog/pdf-missing-text) [**text**](https://pdf.net/blog/pdf-missing-text), it is better to link to it. In addition, it is **easier to update** in the future, as you can replace the hosted PDF instead of re-embedding your content entirely. Linking to a PDF is particularly useful for PDF brochures, forms, [whitepapers](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/w/whitepaper.asp), guides, or any file others might want to look through at their **own pace** or [download a copy](https://pdf.net/blog/how-to-download-pdf-from-a-link) to keep and **refer back to.** ## How to Create a Link to a PDF Using Cloud Storage To create a link to a PDF using cloud storage, you can upload your file to Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive. Alternatively, you can use pdf.net to create a shareable link in seconds. That said, let’s take a closer look at each option: ### #1. Google Drive Follow these simple steps to upload your PDF and get the link to it: 1. Open Google Drive. 2. Click **New** > **File upload** and select your PDF to upload it. ![How to Create a Link to a PDF Using Google Drive](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/i16te7yp/production/8fe936f5bd07a44e4e4a5a1748e4a16153c29058-707x486.png?fit=max&auto=format) 3. Right-click on your uploaded PDF and select **Share**. ![Right-click on your uploaded PDF and select Share](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/i16te7yp/production/5241ccf8fb4bfc390c381a34714c154ab2fd6b48-1195x731.png?fit=max&auto=format) 4. Click the drop-down arrow next to **Restricted** under **General** **access**. ![Click the drop-down arrow next to Restricted under General access](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/i16te7yp/production/2b7f6bcfc0b65ba00d6e59952e692ff659d1c67e-504x192.png?fit=max&auto=format) 5. Select **Anyone with the link **and click **Done**. ![Select Anyone with the link](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/i16te7yp/production/c32273f1ea4f1b41e3861afb5ceb15d759e95646-501x262.png?fit=max&auto=format) 6. Select **Copy** **link**. 7. Paste the link wherever you need as a hyperlink to your PDF. ### #2. Dropbox Here is how to make a link to a PDF on Dropbox: 1. Open Dropbox. 2. Upload your PDF file by clicking **Upload** or drag and drop it into Dropbox. ![How to Create a Link to a PDF Using Dropbox](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/i16te7yp/production/ffbae72ca96d60ae20063b435aef00660deba7c8-732x439.png?fit=max&auto=format) 3. Hover over the PDF file you have just uploaded and click the **three dots (More)**. ![Hover over the PDF file and click the three dots](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/i16te7yp/production/3c1876fb0d6293e016af340b7d74f251db28c6c3-1225x551.png?fit=max&auto=format) 4. Select **Manage permissions**. ![Select Manage permissions](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/i16te7yp/production/b38e9ed84215deeff9f34842c3cc1c14d2dbb488-1459x609.png?fit=max&auto=format) 5. Click the **Settings** icon next to **Link for viewing. **![Click the Settings icon next to Link for viewing](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/i16te7yp/production/3ed6b5bd19543609f1e2e0947a33931c99a6baf0-1456x853.png?fit=max&auto=format) 6. Click the drop-down menu next to **Who has access **and** **choose** Anyone with link. **![Choose Anyone with link](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/i16te7yp/production/2aa1b184a6540fbb3036d814a11cb335eb417acd-728x487.png?fit=max&auto=format) 7. Click **Copy** **link** next to **People with this link can view**. 8. You can share the PDF via this link anywhere now. ### #3. OneDrive Create your PDF link via OneDrive by following these steps: 1. Open OneDrive. 2. Click **Create or upload** **>** **Files** **upload** to add your [PDF document](https://pdf.net/blog/what-does-pdf-format-mean) to OneDrive. ![How to Create a Link to a PDF Using OneDrive](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/i16te7yp/production/5b2fa5e08cb3744c52f878d63f4f091311cfd682-692x517.png?fit=max&auto=format) 3. Click the** three dots **next to your PDF document and select **Manage** **access**. ![Select Manage access from the three dots](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/i16te7yp/production/858640972c6f6204991bf6e6e1a73110316263bc-647x387.png?fit=max&auto=format) 4. Click the **Links** tab > **Create and share a new link. **![Click the Links tab to create and share a new link](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/i16te7yp/production/ca65e84702ea25dda693be6e5aa5d6e39c4fc568-834x448.png?fit=max&auto=format) 5. Add the email addresses you want to share the PDF with and choose **Can edit **or** Can view** by clicking the drop-down menu. ![Add the email addresses you want to share the PDF with](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/i16te7yp/production/3436f58730ce0e3185f5603de023c23cc11f0a33-848x509.png?fit=max&auto=format) 6. Alternatively, click the lock icon under **Anyone with the link can edit** to share. 7. Click **Copy link.** 8. Paste the link to your PDF where needed. ### #4. pdf.net One of the **fastest ways to create a shareable link** is with our [_Share PDF_](https://pdf.net/share-pdf) tool. Unlike cloud storage platforms, pdf.net generates a **secure PDF link in seconds** without navigating through multiple menus. That said, here’s how to create a link to a PDF with our online editor: 1. Go to [pdf.net](http://pdf.net) and upload the file you want to share. ![How to Create a Link to a PDF](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/i16te7yp/production/0e3901843706b765c3a5546310673ecc246c801a-1880x691.png?fit=max&auto=format) 2. Once you’ve uploaded your file, click the **Share** button in the upper right corner. ![The Share button in the upper right corner of pdf.net](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/i16te7yp/production/82160c2e3229ef8c7bf8048847af8b41dea1a3a4-1896x874.png?fit=max&auto=format) 3. Set who can access your file and the role (viewer, editor). ![Set who can access your file and the role](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/i16te7yp/production/7fa5380e6c616bf6da8ecddb3c793a4256f9d558-1878x868.png?fit=max&auto=format) 4. Insert recipient email address and click **Invite** or **copy the link** and share via any other app. ![Insert recipient email address and click Invite or copy the link and share](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/i16te7yp/production/d9ca5d423e41c20e26ba6f0bbaa61d78bbb83dc7-1879x870.png?fit=max&auto=format) Your **recipients don't need an account to open the file** as they can **access it on any device** directly in their browser. You stay in control of who can view or edit the document, and for sensitive files, you can add password protection before sharing. ## How to Add a Link to a PDF in a Document or Website To add a link to a PDF in a document or on a website, you can either hyperlink it or use HTML code. ### #1. Word, PowerPoint, or Email In Word or PowerPoint, or email, you can highlight the text you want to turn into a link, right-click it, press **Cmd+K (Mac)** or **Ctrl+K (Windows)**, paste the link in the input field, and press **Enter**. Test that the link works by clicking on the text; it should open the PDF in a new browser tab. Hyperlinking will also work for images and other elements, such as buttons, in Word and PowerPoint. ### #2. HTML Code If you are adding the PDF link on a website, you can use an [HTML](https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/html/what-is-html/) code like Download our brochure (PDF) This will create clickable text that opens your PDF in a new browser tab, similar to the hyperlinking method above. You can also insert this HTML code to wrap around an image or a button. ## How to Create a Link to a Specific Page in a PDF To create a link to a specific page in a PDF, you need to add a page reference to the URL. If your PDF is hosted online, add **#page=[number]** at the end of the file link. For example, https://yourwebsite.com/guide.pdf#page=5. This is useful when you want to make it easy for your viewers to see a certain section of your document without having to scroll or [search the PDF](https://pdf.net/blog/how-to-make-pdfs-searchable). Some common cases might be referencing information in user guides, manuals, proposals, training materials, policies, and website resources. ## How to Prepare Your PDF Before Uploading? You can prepare your PDF before uploading easily with our browser-based editor, [pdf.net](https://app.pdf.net/sign-up). There is a full suite of tools that you can use for: - **Editing your PDF. **You can [type directly into your document](https://pdf.net/blog/how-do-i-type-on-a-pdf-file), add [annotations](https://pdf.net/blog/how-to-annotate-pdf), comments, and highlights, as well as insert images and interactive elements like fillable fields. If you are working with forms or contracts, you can also sign them with our editor. - **Optimizing your PDF. **An optimized PDF will improve your viewers’ experience. You can [resize your document](https://pdf.net/blog/how-to-resize-pdfs) as needed and compress it without compromising quality. You won’t have to worry about the security of your PDFs; our connections are secure HTTPS, and you can even [apply password protection](https://pdf.net/protect-pdf) for sensitive documents. > **Stop Juggling Multiple PDF tools** > > One place to edit, organize, and share PDFs. No software installation. > > [Try it FREE now](https://app.pdf.net/sign-up) ## Final Thoughts PDFs shared through links **are usually lighter and more user-friendly**, especially if they are long or if you want your viewers to have their own copy to read through at their own pace. You can create PDF links in Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive, and then share them via hyperlinking or using HTML code. Also, to ensure your PDFs appear professional, don’t forget to polish them before uploading with our PDF editor’s help! ## How to Create a Link to a PDF FAQs ### #1. Can I create a PDF link without using Google Drive? Yes, you can create a PDF link without using Google Drive by **using Dropbox or OneDrive instead. **This is especially handy if you already work within [Microsoft's software ecosystem](https://argano.com/insights/articles/microsoft-understanding-the-microsoft-ecosystem-and-its-advantages-part-1.html). ### #2. How do I make a PDF open directly in the browser? To make a PDF open directly in the browser, **use a direct link** **that ends in .pdf**; for example, https://yourwebsite.com/file.pdf. Most modern browsers will automatically preview it, but if not, ensure server settings or headers are configured to display rather than force download. ### #4. Where do I find the URL for a PDF? You can find the URL for a PDF if it’s hosted online **by opening the file in your browser and copying the address bar link**. If it’s stored in Google Drive, Dropbox, or similar, you should use that service’s **Share / Copy link** option. Meanwhile, local files on your computer don’t have URLs until you upload them. ## Related Articles [How to Post a PDF on Facebook: 3 Easy Methods Explained](https://pdf.net/blog/how-can-i-post-a-pdf-on-facebook) [How to Email a Large PDF File: 3 Simple Methods](https://pdf.net/blog/how-to-email-large-pdf-file) [How to Download a Webpage as a PDF: Step-by-Step Guide](https://pdf.net/blog/download-webpage-as-pdf)