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Advanced Features

PDF Connect includes several advanced features designed to help you manage large PDF libraries and complex publishing workflows efficiently.

Enhanced Publishing System​

Multi-Extension Templates​

You can add multiple PDF display styles to the same template for different use cases:

  • Embedded PDF for the main product manual
  • PDF Button for optional specification sheets
  • PDF List for related documentation

This flexibility allows you to create rich, informative pages that serve different customer needs.

Template Scope Management​

  • Global Templates: Extensions added to templates (like "Product") will appear on all pages using that template
  • Smart Detection: PDF Connect automatically detects which templates have PDF extensions configured
  • Usage Analytics: Track which templates are actively displaying PDFs and optimization opportunities

Universal Linking System​

Cross-Page Type Linking​

Link the same PDF to multiple page types for maximum reach:

  • Product manual → Both product page AND help article
  • Company brochure → Homepage AND about us page
  • Catalog → Collection page AND search results

Advanced Resource Management​

  • Smart Search: Find pages quickly using partial name matching
  • Pagination: Handle large catalogs with cursor-based pagination (50 items per load)
  • Bulk Selection: Select multiple resources for efficient linking operations
  • Real-time Updates: See linked resources update immediately after operations

Bulk Operations​

Spreadsheet-Based Linking​

For large-scale operations, use spreadsheet imports to:

  • Link hundreds of PDFs to products simultaneously
  • Update existing links in bulk
  • Manage variant-specific PDF associations
  • Export current linking data for analysis

Learn more: Bulk PDF Linking Guide

Enhanced Error Handling​

  • Partial Success Handling: Operations continue even if some items fail
  • Detailed Statistics: See exactly what succeeded and what failed
  • Performance Timing: Monitor operation speed and optimization opportunities
  • Automatic Retries: Failed operations can be retried automatically

PDF Organization​

Using Tags with PDFs​

Tags help you organize and categorize your PDF library:

  • Group Similar Content: Organize by product category, document type, or department
  • Easy Search: Find PDFs quickly using tag-based filtering
  • Theme Integration: Use tags in theme code to display specific PDF collections
  • Bulk Operations: Apply tags to multiple PDFs simultaneously

Smart PDF Management​

  • Duplicate Detection: Identify and manage duplicate PDFs across your library
  • Usage Analytics: See which PDFs are most accessed and linked
  • Storage Optimization: Identify unused PDFs that can be archived or removed
  • Version Control: Track PDF updates and maintain document history

Display Customization​

PDF Viewer Options​

Different use cases require different PDF viewer configurations:

Embedded PDF Settings​

  • Viewer Size: Control height and width for optimal page integration
  • Download Control: Enable or disable PDF download functionality
  • Print Options: Allow or restrict printing capabilities
  • Mobile Optimization: Responsive settings for mobile devices

PDF Button Settings​

  • Button Styling: Customize colors, sizes, and text
  • Popup Behavior: Control popup size and overlay settings
  • Icon Options: Choose from various button icons and styles
  • Loading States: Configure loading animations and feedback

PDF List Settings​

  • Layout Options: Grid or list view with customizable spacing
  • Sorting: Order by date, name, or custom priority
  • Pagination: Control how many PDFs display per page
  • Thumbnail: Show PDF preview thumbnails when available

Developer Features​

Metafield Integration​

PDF Connect uses Shopify metafields to make PDFs accessible in theme code:

{
  "namespace": "pdf_guru",
  "key": "linked_pdfs",
  "value": [
    {
      "id": "pdf123",
      "active": true,
      "url": "https://storage.googleapis.com/pdf-uploader-v3.appspot.com/..."
    }
  ]
}

Custom Theme Integration​

For developers who want custom PDF implementations:

  • Liquid Access: Use product.metafields.pdf_guru.linked_pdfs in theme code
  • JavaScript APIs: Access PDF data for custom front-end implementations
  • Webhook Events: React to PDF linking/unlinking events
  • CSS Customization: Full control over PDF display styling

Performance Optimization​

  • CDN Integration: PDFs are served through Google Cloud Storage CDN
  • Lazy Loading: PDFs load only when needed to improve page speed
  • Caching: Intelligent caching reduces server load and improves speed
  • Mobile Optimization: Optimized for mobile admin usage and customer experience

This advanced functionality makes PDF Connect suitable for everything from small boutique stores to large enterprise operations with thousands of products and PDFs.