PDF Viewer Configuration
Configure how PDFs display to customers by choosing between four viewer types in the app.
Where to configure
Set the viewer type in the PDF details page under the Viewer Configuration section.
This configuration applies to linked Theme App Extensions for that PDF (both button popups and embedded viewers).
Manual URL blocks use viewer settings in theme block schema instead. Manual URL blocks →
Four viewer types
Custom Viewer (Full Featured)
The most powerful option with complete control over the PDF viewing experience.
Features:
- All navigation controls
- Search functionality
- Zoom tools and customizable display options
- Mobile-optimized viewing
Configuration options:
PDF Viewer Settings:
- Initial Page - Which page to show first (1, 2, 3, etc.)
- Initial Zoom - Default zoom level (Auto Fit, Fit Width, Fit Page, 50%, 75%, 100%, 125%, 150%, 200%)
- Page Layout - Single Page, Two Pages Odd, Two Pages Even
- Scroll Direction - Vertical, Horizontal, Wrapped, Page Scrolling
Toolbar & Features:
- Enable Download - Allow customers to download the PDF
- Show Toolbar - Display the navigation toolbar
- Enable Add Image/Stamp Tool - Let customers add images or stamps
- Enable Highlighter Tool - Text highlighting capability
- Enable Drawing Tools - Freehand drawing on PDFs
- Enable Text Selection - Allow text selection and copying
Best for:
- Technical documents that need zoom and search
- Product manuals requiring navigation
- Documents where customers need to highlight or annotate
- Desktop and mobile viewing
Light Viewer (Fast & Simple)
A streamlined viewer optimized for speed and simplicity.
Features:
- Simple, fast-loading viewer
- Minimal interface
- Perfect for quick document preview
- Mobile-optimized
Configuration options:
- None - it just works!
Best for:
- Quick reference documents
- Simple PDFs that don't need advanced features
- Mobile-first stores prioritizing fast load times
- Warranty cards, certificates, simple forms
Native Browser Viewer (Standard)
Uses the browser's built-in PDF viewer for a familiar, standard experience.
Features:
- Browser's native PDF viewing capabilities
- Reliable and universally supported
- No additional configuration needed
- Note: Viewing experience may vary across different browsers (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, etc.)
Configuration options:
- None - uses browser defaults
Best for:
- Customers familiar with standard browser PDF viewing
- Simple documents that don't need custom features
- Maximum compatibility across all browsers
- Straightforward PDF display without customization
Important: Since this uses each browser's native PDF viewer, the experience may be inconsistent across different browsers and devices.
Flipbook Viewer (Interactive Pages)
An interactive page-flipping experience that mimics reading a physical book.
Features:
- Page-flipping animation
- Realistic book/magazine reading experience
- Great for visual, catalog-style content
- Not mobile-optimized
Configuration options:
- Animation Style - Smooth Animation, Fast Animation, No Animation
- Page Shadows - Add realistic shadows and depth effects
- Background Color - Choose from Light Gray, White, Off White, Medium Gray, Dark Gray
Best for:
- Catalogs and brochures
- Marketing materials and lookbooks
- Magazine-style content
- Desktop viewing experiences
Not recommended for:
- Mobile-first stores
- Technical documents
- Long text-heavy PDFs
Linked vs manual viewer configuration
| Flow | Where viewer is configured | Scope |
|---|---|---|
Linked blocks (pdf_embedded, pdf_button) | PDF details page in app | Per PDF |
Manual blocks (pdf_embedded_manual, pdf_button_manual) | Theme block settings | Per block |
Manual blocks support the same four viewer types:
- Native Browser
- Custom Viewer
- Flipbook
- Light Viewer
For manual blocks, one viewer profile applies to all URLs in that block.
How to set viewer configuration
- Go to your PDF library in the app
- Click on the PDF you want to configure
- Find the Viewer Configuration section
- Click to expand the section
- Select your Viewer Type from the dropdown
- Configure the available options for that viewer type
- Click Save Configuration
Viewer applies everywhere
The viewer configuration you choose applies to:
- ✅ Button extension popups (when customers click the button)
- ✅ Embedded viewers (PDFs shown inline on pages)
- ✅ All templates where this PDF is displayed
- ✅ All resources this PDF is linked to
You set it once, and it works everywhere that PDF appears.
For manual blocks, you set viewer options in the block itself, and those options apply to all URLs in that block.
Extension settings vs viewer configuration
Don't confuse these two:
| Viewer Configuration (App) | Extension Settings (Theme Editor) |
|---|---|
| Custom, Light, Native Browser, or Flipbook | Button colors, text, alignment |
| Zoom, toolbar, download options | Viewer height, heading text |
| Page layout, scroll direction | Container border, modal size |
| Set once per PDF | Set per extension in theme |
| Controls PDF functionality | Controls styling and layout |
Manual blocks combine both concerns in theme settings: URL list + viewer type + viewer options.
Example:
- Choose Custom Viewer with download enabled and 100% initial zoom → This is viewer configuration
- Set button color to blue and modal size to 80% → This is extension settings
Change viewer configuration anytime
You can change the viewer type at any time:
- Open the PDF details page
- Expand Viewer Configuration
- Select a different viewer type
- Adjust settings
- Click Save Configuration
Changes apply immediately to all Theme App Extensions showing that PDF.
Viewer configuration tips
Start with Custom Viewer:
- Most versatile option
- Works great for most use cases
- Highly configurable
Switch to Light Viewer if:
- PDFs are loading slowly
- You want the simplest experience
- Mobile speed is critical Use Native Browser Viewer when:
- Customers prefer standard browser PDF experience
- Maximum compatibility is needed
- No custom features are required Use Flipbook Viewer when:
- Desktop viewing is primary
- Visual presentation matters most
- You have catalog-style content
Test your choice:
- Preview on both desktop and mobile
- Ask customers for feedback
- Monitor PDF engagement