How to Embed and Display Ad-Hoc PDF Files (Inline or as Button)
Easily embed PDF files into your documents — inline or as attachments. This guide walks you through how to upload and display ad-hoc PDF files in your document, either as an embedded inline preview or as a clickable attachment button. Perfect for adding downloadable files, previews, or reference materials directly into your content.
Embed and display PDF files in your document
Embed PDF files directly into your document as inline pages.
Upload PDF files as downloadable attachments with preview access.
Add PDFs inline or as attachments
Choose where to insert the PDF
In this guide, a PDF page will be inserted between existing document pages. PDFs can be embedded directly into the document or added as downloadable attachments.Open the insert content menu
Click the + icon that appears between pages or before/after the current page. This opens the insert menu containing page and file options.Embed a PDF inline
To display a PDF directly inside the document, select Embedded PDF from the dropdown options. You can then choose the PDF file from your file manager or upload source.Wait for the PDF upload to complete
Once uploaded, the PDF will automatically process and render inside the document editor. You’ll then be able to preview the PDF pages directly within the document layout.Upload a PDF as an attachment
Alternatively, you can upload the PDF as a downloadable attachment. To do this, open the insert menu again and select Upload Attachment .Review the uploaded attachment
Once the upload is complete, the attachment will appear inside the document editor as a file attachment block. Recipients can use this attachment to download or access the file directly.Open attachment options
To interact with the uploaded attachment, click the ellipsis icon (...) on the right side of the attachment block. Additional file actions and viewing options will become available.Preview the attached PDF
Click View File to open and review the uploaded PDF attachment. This allows both editors and recipients to access the document directly from within QuoteCloud.
FAQs
What is an "ad-hoc PDF" in QuoteCloud and why should I embed one?
An ad-hoc PDF is a standalone PDF file you upload directly into a single QuoteCloud document rather than storing it in a reusable template. It’s ideal for supplemental materials such as spec sheets, third‑party contracts, technical data, or reference guides that only apply to that specific quote or proposal.
Embedding an ad‑hoc PDF (instead of only attaching it) lets recipients preview or download the file inside the document, improving readability and creating a more professional experience in your sales quoting software or sales proposal software workflows.
How do I upload and place an ad-hoc PDF in my document?
Open the document editor and use the media or attachments area to upload your PDF file. After upload, choose where to place the file within the document layout — either as an inline embed or as an attachment button — so it appears exactly where it’s most relevant for readers.
Position the PDF near the related content (for example, place a spec sheet next to the product description) to make your quote software or proposal software documents easier to scan and act on.
Can I display a PDF as an embed or as an attachment button?
Yes. QuoteCloud’s editor offers two display options: Embed (inline preview) and Attachment (clickable download button). Embed places a preview of the PDF directly in the document flow so recipients can view it without leaving the document. Attachment adds a clean, clickable button that downloads or opens the file, which is useful when you want a simpler layout.
Choose embed for visual reference and immediate context; choose an attachment button when you want a compact layout or when the file is large.
How do I show an inline preview of a PDF in the document?
After uploading the PDF in the document editor, select the file and choose the "Embed" or "Inline preview" display option. Place the embedded preview where it best supports the surrounding text — for example, next to a product description or pricing table — then save and preview the document to confirm sizing and placement.
Inline previews let recipients inspect the PDF without downloading it, streamlining review and reducing friction in the sales process.
Can I hide a PDF from recipients or control who sees it?
Ad-hoc PDFs are attached to the single document you edit, so visibility follows the document’s sharing and permission settings. If you don’t want recipients to see the PDF, remove it before sending or adjust the document’s access controls and conditional content options (if available on your plan).
Always preview the document as a recipient before sending to confirm which embedded files and attachment buttons are visible to your audience.
Will recipients be able to preview and download embedded PDFs on all devices?
Most modern browsers and mobile devices support viewing embedded PDFs directly in the document, so recipients can preview without downloading. If a recipient’s device or browser doesn’t render the inline preview, the attachment button provides a fallback to open or download the file.
For best results, test your document on desktop and mobile before sending important quotes or proposals.
What are best practices for placing ad-hoc PDFs in quotes and proposals?
Keep these tips in mind: place the PDF near the related content, use clear filenames and button labels, prefer embed for short reference docs and attachment buttons for long or large files, and test the document before sending. Also keep file sizes reasonable so previews load quickly for recipients.
Following these practices improves readability and speeds decision-making when using your sales quoting software or sales proposal software.
How does embedding PDFs improve my workflow in QuoteCloud?
Embedding PDFs makes documents more informative and easier to review by surfacing supplemental materials directly where they’re needed. This reduces back-and-forth, helps prospects find the information that matters, and presents a more polished, professional quote or proposal.
Whether you use QuoteCloud as quote software or proposal software, inline PDFs and clean attachment buttons both help shorten approval cycles and improve the customer experience.