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PDF Viewer Configuration

Configure how PDFs display to customers by choosing between three 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 ALL Theme App Extensions for that PDF (both button popups and embedded viewers).​

Three viewer types​

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

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

How to set viewer configuration​

  1. Go to your PDF library in the app
  2. Click on the PDF you want to configure
  3. Find the Viewer Configuration section
  4. Click to expand the section
  5. Select your Viewer Type from the dropdown
  6. Configure the available options for that viewer type
  7. 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.

Extension settings vs viewer configuration​

Don't confuse these two:

Viewer Configuration (App)Extension Settings (Theme Editor)
Custom, Light, or FlipbookButton colors, text, alignment
Zoom, toolbar, download optionsViewer height, heading text
Page layout, scroll directionContainer border, modal size
Set once per PDFSet per extension in theme
Controls PDF functionalityControls styling and layout

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:

  1. Open the PDF details page
  2. Expand Viewer Configuration
  3. Select a different viewer type
  4. Adjust settings
  5. 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 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

Next steps​