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PDF Viewer Component

This guide helps authors choose the right PDF Viewer configuration by explaining:

  • The main settings combinations
  • What the viewer will look like visually
  • When to use each option

Configuration

Full Window* + Fit Width

What it Looks Like

PDF fills the entire browser; scrolls continuously; toolbar at top; immersive “reader” experience

View Examples

Best For

Long-form documents, guides, manuals

When to Use 

Use when the PDF is the primary experience and users need comfortable reading

Configuration

Full Window* + Fit Page

What it Looks Like

One full page visible at a time; centered layout; presentation-style view

View Examples

Best For

Slide decks, designed layouts

When to Use 

Use when page design/layout matters more than continuous reading

Configuration

Sized Container (Minimal Controls)

What it Looks Like

Boxed viewer with limited UI; fewer visible controls; clean, distraction-free display

View Examples

Best For

Clean embeds, marketing content

When to Use 

Use when you want a visually simple embedded PDF without heavy UI elements

Configuration

In-Line (continuous reading)

What it Looks Like

All PDF pages render directly within the page flow; scroll behaves like normal webpage content; no strong viewer frame

View Examples

Best For

Support articles, help content, instructional pages

When to Use 

Use when the PDF should feel like part of the article/page content (not a separate viewer)

Configuration

What it Looks Like

View Examples

Best For

When to Use 

Full Window* + Fit Width

PDF fills the entire browser; scrolls continuously; toolbar at top; immersive “reader” experience

Long-form documents, guides, manuals

Use when the PDF is the primary experience and users need comfortable reading

Full Window* + Fit Page

One full page visible at a time; centered layout; presentation-style view

Slide decks, designed layouts

Use when page design/layout matters more than continuous reading

Sized Container (Minimal Controls)

Boxed viewer with limited UI; fewer visible controls; clean, distraction-free display

Clean embeds, marketing content

Use when you want a visually simple embedded PDF without heavy UI elements

In-Line (continuous reading)

All PDF pages render directly within the page flow; scroll behaves like normal webpage content; no strong viewer frame

Support articles, help content, instructional pages

Use when the PDF should feel like part of the article/page content (not a separate viewer)

*note: full window display is impacted by placement within a container and/or column type component. Selecting "full screen" overides the Fit controls and displays the PDF as the only item on the page, all navigation and other content on the page is overwritten by the PDF, do not recommend using because the PDF should be setup to open in a new tab instead.

View Adobe documentation for this OOTB PDF Viewer Component

Information  PDF files must be hosted within the AEM DAM to be used within this component. External PDF links will not work. 

Full Window + Fit Width Example 1:

Authored within a Container = Yes

Type = Full Window

Default View Mode = Fit Width

Full Screen = no

Annotation tools = no

Left Hand Panel = no

Download PDF = no

Print PDF = no

Page Controls = yes

Dock = yes

Undock = no

Full Window + Fit Width Example 2:

Authored within a Container = Yes

Type = Full Window

Default View Mode = Fit Width

Full Screen = no

Annotation tools = yes

Left Hand Panel = yes

Download PDF = yes

Print PDF = yes

Page Controls = yes

Dock = no

Undock = yes

Full Window + Fit Width Example 3:

Authored within a Container = No

Type = Full Window

Default View Mode = Fit Width

Full Screen = no

Annotation tools = yes

Left Hand Panel = yes

Download PDF = yes

Print PDF = yes

Page Controls = yes

Dock = no

Undock = yes

Full Window + Fit Page Example 1: 

Authored within a Container = Yes

Type = Full Window

Default View Mode = Fit Page

Full Screen = no

Annotation tools = no

Left Hand Panel = no

Download PDF = no

Print PDF = no

Page Controls = yes

Dock = yes

Undock = no

Full Window + Fit Page Example 2: 

Authored within a Container = No 

Type = Full Window

Default View Mode = Fit Page

Full Screen = no

Annotation tools = yes

Left Hand Panel = yes

Download PDF = yes

Print PDF = yes

Page Controls = yes

Dock = no

Undock = yes

Sized Container Example 1:

Authored within a Container = yes

Type = Sized Container

Full Screen = no

Download PDF = yes

Print PDF = yes

Page Controls = yes

Dock = yes

Undock = no

Sized Container Example 2:

Authored within a Container = no

Type = Sized Container

Full Screen = no

Download PDF = no

Print PDF = no

Page Controls = yes

Dock = yes

Undock = no

In-Line Example 1: 

Authored within a container = yes

Download PDF = yes

Print PDF = yes

In-Line Example 2: 

Authored within a container = no

Download PDF = no

Print PDF = np

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