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sleenie
Member
—
19th March 2010
I'm fairly new to WPMU and just noticed that the embed media icon is not listed when I am creating/editing a post/page. How do I embed a pdf in a post or page? Is it really gone from WPMU or have i got a setting wrong? I'm on the latest version of WPMU.
I'm fairly new to WPMU and just noticed that the embed media icon is not listed when I am creating/editing a post/page. How do I embed a pdf in a post or page? Is it really gone from WPMU or have i got a setting wrong? I'm on the latest version of WPMU.
I'm pretty sure it is removed from WPMU due to the security problems it causes. You can use the unfiletered html plugin (only activated on your blog) to input embed codes on the html tab.
I probably should clarify that there is a difference between uploading and inserting a file into a post as opposed to embedding it -- in terms of how you do it.
In the case of a PDFs Dr Mike is correct that the most common method to insert is to upload the file from your computer (or link to the file URL) and the insert into your Post/Page using the Add Media icons above your standard formatting toolbar,
However the other way you can do it is as an embed using a third party application such as Scribd (http://www.scribd.com/) . In this case as Aaron says you need to have the unfilter mu plugin and then you add the embed code by clicking on the HTML tab same as you would embed a video from a video sharing web site.
@Sleenie From memory with the current version of WPMU you need to click on File URL to add the link URL and then Insert into Post,. Otherwise what happens is the link URL is missing and only displays the words without linking. That is probably why you are having trouble,
This was causing problems on Edublogs so we developed a plugin so it automatically always includes the Link URL -- as I got sick of having to say "You need to follow the instructions on this page and make sure you follow Step 7 and Step 8.
They essentially transform your PDF or other file into a simple Flash object that can be embedded into your page using a WP plugin, and is presented as a booklet whose pages can be turned. This system allows a viewer to see the PDF, take it full screen, search it, navigate it, etc.
In addition to handling PDFs, they allow upload of many different file types and have a Wordpress plugin that allows you to embed the PDF (or PPT, or whatever) using a simple short code.
It is a great way to actually embed a PDF so that a user doesn't need to launch a new application, or immediately download something.
They have a free version of the service, and a very, very inexpensive paid version - less than $20/month.
I would like to thank everyone for all of your insights. I have managed to get it on the site using scribd although that is not really what I wanted. But, hey it works and I thiank you.
For some reason when I try to do it through the media button I can't even get it uploaded. I get an http error everytime.I upload it. This is regardless of the size. Any ideas? I also checked to make sure it is listed as an approved file. (I have tried multiple .pdf's all with the same result.
Worth checking a couple of other things just in case.
Sorry for asking but I've had situations where Site admin users have accidentally altered the file type name on Site Admin > Options. The file type pdf is definitely listed as an allowed file type in Site Admin > Option under Upload File type exactly as shown on the screenshot on this page - http://wpmu.org/the-wordpress-mu-guide/site-options/standard-site-options/ .
I wouldn't expect a PDF to be a large file but worth checking -- what is your maximum file upload size in Site Admin > Options and what was the file size of your PDF.
Also your file name (as Dr Mike would say) as that can cause problems. Always better to use just one file name such as mydemo.pdf
You seemed to indicate that you are only getting the HTTP error when attempting to upload PDF files - is that the case? If you attempt to upload an image, video or music file, do you get the same error? If other file types are also giving you the problem, it might be worth checking your htaccess file. Make sure the following is there:
<IfModule mod_security.c>
<Files async-upload.php>
SecFilterEngine Off
SecFilterScanPOST Off
</Files>
</IfModule>
Also, is this happening only when using the Flash uploader? Have you tried the browser uploader? Do you get the same error?
Responses (14)
Lead Developer — 19th March 2010 #
I'm pretty sure it is removed from WPMU due to the security problems it causes. You can use the unfiletered html plugin (only activated on your blog) to input embed codes on the html tab.
Keeper of the Dark Chocolate — 19th March 2010 #
You can upload the file and link to it. I believe *.pdf's are allowed to be uploaded as a default.
Support Guru — 20th March 2010 #
I probably should clarify that there is a difference between uploading and inserting a file into a post as opposed to embedding it -- in terms of how you do it.
In the case of a PDFs Dr Mike is correct that the most common method to insert is to upload the file from your computer (or link to the file URL) and the insert into your Post/Page using the Add Media icons above your standard formatting toolbar,
Here is detailed instructions on how it is done - http://help.edublogs.org/2009/07/29/inserting-documents-pdf-and-powerpoints-into-your-posts/
By default .pdfs are an allowed file type of WPMU however for some other file types you need to add them into Site Admin > Options under allowed file types. You can read more about this in our Site Admin Users manual (http://wpmu.org/the-wordpress-mu-guide/ ) in the Standard Site options section http://wpmu.org/the-wordpress-mu-guide/site-options/standard-site-options/
However the other way you can do it is as an embed using a third party application such as Scribd (http://www.scribd.com/) . In this case as Aaron says you need to have the unfilter mu plugin and then you add the embed code by clicking on the HTML tab same as you would embed a video from a video sharing web site.
Here are detailed instructions on how to do embeds if using the unfilter mu plugin - http://help.edublogs.org/2009/07/29/embedding-videos-from-video-sharing-websites-into-your-posts/ Most important step is to never click back on the Visual Tab editor after adding the HTML code -- always close the post and change back to the Visual editing mode when you open a new post.
Member — 22nd March 2010 #
I could have sworn this was how I did it but it would never get inserted to the page. I will give it a try again.
Support Guru — 22nd March 2010 #
@Sleenie From memory with the current version of WPMU you need to click on File URL to add the link URL and then Insert into Post,. Otherwise what happens is the link URL is missing and only displays the words without linking. That is probably why you are having trouble,
This was causing problems on Edublogs so we developed a plugin so it automatically always includes the Link URL -- as I got sick of having to say "You need to follow the instructions on this page and make sure you follow Step 7 and Step 8.
Here are the original instructions they had to follow before we uploaded the plugin - http://help.edublogs.org/files/2009/07/edublogs282_docs.pdf
Member — 22nd March 2010 #
Another service you might look at is Issuu.
They essentially transform your PDF or other file into a simple Flash object that can be embedded into your page using a WP plugin, and is presented as a booklet whose pages can be turned. This system allows a viewer to see the PDF, take it full screen, search it, navigate it, etc.
In addition to handling PDFs, they allow upload of many different file types and have a Wordpress plugin that allows you to embed the PDF (or PPT, or whatever) using a simple short code.
It is a great way to actually embed a PDF so that a user doesn't need to launch a new application, or immediately download something.
They have a free version of the service, and a very, very inexpensive paid version - less than $20/month.
Keeper of the Dark Chocolate — 22nd March 2010 #
Not to take away from the discussion but here's a perfect example of why unlimited hosting is a myth.
For $19 a month you get unlimited views as well as storage.
As long as you stay under 1 million views a month and 15 gigs of storage. ;)
issuu.com/business/pricing
Looks good though.
Member — 22nd March 2010 #
Strangely, I have not received any warnings that I'm in danger of exceeding my limits... : )
Member — 26th March 2010 #
I would like to thank everyone for all of your insights. I have managed to get it on the site using scribd although that is not really what I wanted. But, hey it works and I thiank you.
For some reason when I try to do it through the media button I can't even get it uploaded. I get an http error everytime.I upload it. This is regardless of the size. Any ideas? I also checked to make sure it is listed as an approved file. (I have tried multiple .pdf's all with the same result.
Sleenie
Erstwhile founder — 26th March 2010 #
Is it just the one file type giving you issues?
Thanks,
Andrew
Member — 26th March 2010 #
Yes...the .pdf format. And I've tried .pdf files made by different programs to check that also.
Thanks,
Sandy
Erstwhile founder — 26th March 2010 #
That's a bit odd. Do people need to be able to load the files in their browsers? If not you could always just zip them.
Thanks,
Andrew
Support Guru — 26th March 2010 #
Worth checking a couple of other things just in case.
Sorry for asking but I've had situations where Site admin users have accidentally altered the file type name on Site Admin > Options. The file type pdf is definitely listed as an allowed file type in Site Admin > Option under Upload File type exactly as shown on the screenshot on this page - http://wpmu.org/the-wordpress-mu-guide/site-options/standard-site-options/ .
I wouldn't expect a PDF to be a large file but worth checking -- what is your maximum file upload size in Site Admin > Options and what was the file size of your PDF.
Also your file name (as Dr Mike would say) as that can cause problems. Always better to use just one file name such as mydemo.pdf
Member — 27th March 2010 #
@sleenie:
You seemed to indicate that you are only getting the HTTP error when attempting to upload PDF files - is that the case? If you attempt to upload an image, video or music file, do you get the same error? If other file types are also giving you the problem, it might be worth checking your htaccess file. Make sure the following is there:
<IfModule mod_security.c><Files async-upload.php>
SecFilterEngine Off
SecFilterScanPOST Off
</Files>
</IfModule>
Also, is this happening only when using the Flash uploader? Have you tried the browser uploader? Do you get the same error?
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