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Control PDF Display by Extension Type

When multiple PDFs are linked to the same resource and your template has both Theme App Extensions (embedded and button), you can control which PDFs appear in which extension.

The challenge with multiple PDFs​

When you link multiple PDFs to the same resource (like a product) and add both the PDF Embedded Viewer and PDF Button extensions to the template:

Default behavior: All linked PDFs show in BOTH extensions

What you might want: Different PDFs in each extension

Example scenario:

  • Product manual → Show in embedded viewer only below product description
  • Warranty information → Show in button extension only at the end of the page

When the option appears​

The checkboxes to control extension display only appear when:

  1. You've linked multiple PDFs to the same resource
  2. The template has BOTH Theme App Extensions added (embedded AND button)

You'll see this in the Publish section of the PDF details page.

Using the extension control checkboxes​

In the Publish section, you'll see:

Published extensions:
☑ pdf_embedded (enabled)
☑ pdf_button (enabled)

To hide a PDF from a specific extension:

  • Uncheck the box for that extension type
  • The PDF is removed from that extension's template array
  • The PDF will no longer appear in that extension

Example:

Published extensions:
☑ pdf_embedded (enabled)  ← PDF shows in embedded viewer
☐ pdf_button (disabled)   ← PDF hidden from button extension

Use cases​

Scenario 1: Primary vs. supplementary content​

Product with 2 PDFs:

  • User manual (primary) → Embedded viewer only
  • Warranty card (supplementary) → Button extension only

Setup:

  1. Link both PDFs to the product
  2. Add both extensions to the product template
  3. User manual: ☑ embedded, ☐ button
  4. Warranty card: ☐ embedded, ☑ button

Scenario 2: Quick reference vs. detailed docs​

Collection with 3 PDFs:

  • Quick buying guide → Embedded viewer
  • Full catalog → Button extension
  • Sizing chart → Button extension

Setup:

  1. Link all PDFs to the collection
  2. Add both extensions to the collection template
  3. Quick guide: ☑ embedded, ☐ button
  4. Full catalog: ☐ embedded, ☑ button
  5. Sizing chart: ☐ embedded, ☑ button

Scenario 3: Show all PDFs in both extensions​

Product with multiple manuals:

  • All PDFs available in both viewer and button

Setup:

  1. Link all PDFs
  2. Add both extensions
  3. Keep all checkboxes checked (default)

Template file tracking​

For each PDF, the app tracks:

Article template example:

article.articleTemp2 - 1 extension
  Published extensions:
    pdf_button

blog.blogTemp2 - 2 extensions
  Published extensions:
    ☑ pdf_embedded (enabled)
    ☐ pdf_button (disabled)

This shows:

  • The article template only has the button extension
  • The blog template has both extensions, but this PDF only shows in the embedded viewer

Managing multiple templates​

If the same resource type uses different template files, you'll see each template listed separately with its own extension controls:

Article Pages - Published

  article.articleTemp1 - 1 extension
    ☑ pdf_button

  article.articleTemp2 - 1 extension  
    ☑ pdf_button

Each template can have different extension configurations for the same PDF.

Best practices​

Start simple​

Begin with one Theme App Extension per template. Add the second extension only if you need different PDF organization.

Plan your PDF hierarchy​

Before adding both extensions, decide which PDFs are primary (embedded) vs. supplementary (button).

Use consistent patterns​

If you use both extensions across multiple templates, maintain similar PDF assignments for easier management.

Test the customer experience​

View your pages as a customer would - make sure the right PDFs appear in the right places.

Troubleshooting​

Checkboxes don't appear:

  • Only one extension type added to the template
  • Add both extensions to see the checkboxes

PDF appears in wrong extension:

  • Check the checkbox settings in the Publish section
  • Verify you're looking at the correct template file

PDF doesn't appear anywhere:

  • At least one checkbox must be checked
  • Verify the PDF is linked to the resource
  • Check that the PDF status is Active

Changes don't show on storefront:

  • Refresh the page (may take a few seconds)
  • Clear browser cache
  • Verify you saved changes in the app

Next steps​