If you want a button or a line of text in Elementor to open a PDF (like a brochure, form, or guide), here’s the clean, reliable way to do it.

1 — Upload the PDF to WordPress

• Log in to WordPress and go to Media → Add Media File.

• Drag-and-drop your PDF into the uploader (or click Select Files and choose it).
• Once uploaded, click the file to open its Attachment details panel.

Pro tip:
Before uploading, rename your file to something descriptive and URL-friendly, e.g. buyer-guide-2025.pdf (lowercase, hyphens instead of spaces).

2 — Copy the PDF URL

• In the Attachment details panel, find the File URL field.
• Click Copy URL to clipboard (or select & copy the URL manually). It will look like:

Keep this URL handy — you’ll paste it into Elementor next.

3 — Link to the PDF in Elementor

You can link buttons, text, images, or use Elementor’s File widget. Pick the method you prefer.

Option A: Link a Button widget

1. Edit the page with Elementor.
2. Drag in a Button widget (or select an existing one).
3. In the Content → Link field, paste the PDF URL.
4. (Optional) Click the gear icon beside Link to toggle Open in new window.
5. Update the Button Text (e.g., “Download PDF”).
6. Click Update to save the page.

Option B: Link text in a Text Editor widget

1. Add or select a Text Editor widget.
2. Type your sentence (e.g., Download our Buyer Guide).
3. Highlight the words you want to link and click the Insert/edit link icon.
4. Paste the PDF URL, press Enter (or click the arrow).
5. (Optional) Click the gear icon to enable Open in new window.
6. Click Update.

Option C: Link an Image (or Icon) to the PDF

1. Add an Image widget and choose your image.
2. In Link, choose Custom URL and paste the PDF URL.
3. (Optional) Enable Open in new window.
4. Click Update.

Option D (Elementor Pro): Use the File widget

1. Add the File widget.
2. Click Choose File → select your uploaded PDF from the Media Library.
3. Configure Open in new window, Show File Size, Text (button label), and style as needed.
4. Click Update.

4 — Publish & Test

• Update/Publish the page in Elementor.
• Open the live page in a normal browser tab (not the Elementor preview).
• Click your link or button to confirm the PDF opens or downloads as expected

Best Practices

• Use clear link text: “Download the Buyer Guide (PDF)” is better than “Click here.”
• Mind file size: Large PDFs can be slow. Consider optimizing/compressing before upload.
• Accessibility: If the PDF is important content, consider offering a web page version too.
• Keep URLs stable: If you replace a PDF, upload with the same filename to avoid breaking links—or update the link wherever it’s used.

Quick Troubleshooting

• 404/Not Found: The PDF was moved/renamed. Re-copy the URL from Media and update the link.
• Opens in same tab: In Elementor, enable Open in new window for the link.
• Upload blocked / file too large: Check Settings → Media or your hosting upload limits; reduce file size and try again.
• Wrong PDF downloading: Clear caching (plugin/host/CDN) and try again.

Need a hand? Gavamedia can set this up for you (and standardize your download buttons across the site) in minutes.